Gender Equality may Mean Better Sex

[Angel]

Equality between men and women ages 40 and older may mean more equality in the bedroom, report researchers from the University of Chicago.

Results from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors reveal older couples who live in Western countries are most likely to report being satisfied with their sex lives. In countries where men have a dominant status over women, such as in East Asia, however, older people report less satisfaction in the bedroom.

Researchers interviewed 27,500 people between ages 40 and 80 in 29 countries. They found the greatest sexual satisfaction was in Austria, the United States, Spain and Canada. Countries with the least satisfaction were Japan and Taiwan. Turkey, Egypt, and Algeria were in the middle.

"In relationships based on equality, couples tend to develop sexual habits that are more in keeping with both partners' interests," says lead author Edward Laumann, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago. "Male-centered cultures where sexual behavior is more oriented toward procreation tend to discount the importance of sexual pleasure for women."

This is the first large-scale international study to include large numbers of participants from diverse religions, such as Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists.

Researchers found significant majorities of couples remain sexually active throughout the second half of their lives. Results also reveal feelings of sexual well-being were strongly linked to overall happiness for both men and women.