The Kinsey Institute, a world-renowned sex research think tank at Indiana University, conducted a study to determine what constitutes sexual satisfaction, and concluded that committed couples who stay together long-term report experiencing the most satisfying intimacy.
The most surprising aspect of the study’s results was the fact that men who said they frequently kissed or cuddled with their partners were on average three times as happy with their relationships as men who didn’t, and (this will blow some people’s stereotypes of middle-aged women out of the water) for women sex got better over time. Women who reported being with the same partner for more than 15 years said they were significantly more satisfied sexually.
“This study makes it clear our assumptions aren’t always borne out by research,” Jennifer Bass, director of communications at The Kinsey Institute told ABC News.
Aline Zoldbrod, a psychologist in Lexington, Mass. said of the Kinsey results,”Touch from a person you love and trust is a major emotional resource and a way that people can regulate their emotions when they are upset. Couples who use touch to comfort, to compliment, and yes, to seduce and arouse, are bound to be happier.”
Considering half of American marriages end in divorce, and young couples tend to put off marriage longer and have more sexual partners, this study implies there are millions of people out there who will never stay in a relationship long enough to discover how good sex can be.
Well, damn. Maybe variety really isn’t the spice of life. -kathleen cross
