New study determines the “ideal” number of sexual partners according to social norms

A recent study has brought to light the societal double standard regarding the sexual activity of men and women. The research found that society tends to judge men with high sexual activity more positively than women with high sexual activity, while women with low sexual activity are judged more positively than men with low sexual activity.

Interestingly, both sexes are rated most positively when their sexual activity level is moderate. These results, published in Social psychology and personality scienceoffer a nuanced view of sexual norms and suggest that traditional double standards still exist, but are not as clear-cut as previously assumed.

The concept of sexual double standards has been around for decades, assuming that men are socially rewarded for their sexual activity, while women are often punished for the same behavior. This traditional view is supported by numerous studies, but the results have not always been consistent.

While some studies have found strong evidence of sexual double standards, others have found only weak or inconsistent patterns. The researchers wanted to examine these differences and determine whether there were overarching trends that could explain the discrepancies. By examining societal evaluations of sexual activity across a range of behaviors and outcomes, they hoped to develop a better understanding of how these standards operate in today’s society.

To ensure robust and generalizable results, two different samples were used. The first sample consisted of young adults recruited at a mid-sized German university and the surrounding community, a total of 190 participants. The second sample included 170 German residents recruited via the online platform Clickworker.

Participants from both samples were asked to think about how society would view a 25-year-old man or woman who had one of seven levels of sexual activity, ranging from very low to very high. These levels were assessed on seven different sexual outcomes: number of sexual partners, number of casual sex partners, age at sexual debut, frequency of sexual intercourse, frequency of masturbation, sexual desire, and frequency of sexual fantasies.

The study confirmed several traditional beliefs about sexual double standards while also offering new insights. One of the most important findings was that high levels of sexual activity were viewed more positively in men than in women. This result is consistent with the long-held belief that society rewards men for their sexual activity. On the other hand, low levels of sexual activity were viewed more positively in women than in men, reinforcing the idea that women are praised for their sexual restraint.

A significant and novel finding was that moderate sexual activity was valued most favorably by both men and women, challenging the notion that only extremes (very high for men and very low for women) are socially rewarded.

The researchers identified an “ideal level of sexual activity” at which societal evaluations were most positive. For men, the ideal number of sexual partners was about 4 to 5 in a lifetime, with 2 to 3 casual partners and an age of 18 to 20 when they first became sexually active. They were also viewed most positively if they had sexual intercourse 4 to 5 times per week, masturbated 3 to 4 times per week, experienced sexual desire 3 times per day, and had sexual fantasies 3 times per day.

For women, the ideal values ​​were lower: approximately 2 to 3 sexual partners in life, 1 to 2 casual partners, and an age for first sexual experience between 16 and 18 years. Women ideally had sexual intercourse 3 to 4 times per week, masturbated 2 to 3 times per week, and experienced sexual desire and fantasies 2 times per day.

The researchers also examined whether deviations from the ideal level of sexual activity have asymmetric effects on societal evaluations. They found that women who exceeded the ideal level were judged more harshly than men, increasing societal punishment for high levels of sexual activity in women. However, men who were below the ideal level faced more negative evaluations than women, highlighting societal pressure on men to be sexually active.

“There are both similarities and differences in the social evaluation of male and female sexuality,” the researchers concluded. “People perceive that high levels of sexual activity are valued more positively in men than in women, while low levels of sexual activity are valued more positively in women than in men. However, contrary to common assumptions, in both sexes, moderate levels of sexual activity are most valued, rather than extremely low or extremely high levels of sexual activity.”

Limitations of the study include that it focused on German residents, which may limit the generalizability of the results to other cultural contexts where sexual norms may be different. In addition, the research focused on perceived societal evaluations rather than personal judgments, which may not fully capture the nuances of individual attitudes.

The authors of the study “Sexual (double) standards reconsidered: similarities and differences in the social evaluation of male and female sexuality” are Marcel Weber and Malte Friese.