The queer womens’ blog Autostraddle recently released the results of their Ultimate Lesbian Sex Survey, providing an in-depth look at the sexual and relationship habits of 8,566 readers mostly between the ages of 18 and 36. We put their infographics below, but it turns out that a majority of respondents preferred monogamy to non-monogamy (by 85 to 15 percent).
Also, according to Autostraddle, “There’s also lot of kink happening in non-monogamous relationships: 74.5 percent of those in non-monogamous relationships are interested in kink, compared to 52 percent of those in monogamous relationships.”
Perhaps most interestingly, Autostraddle takes a look at self-identified monogamists who say they’re happiest in non-monogamous relationships and vice-versa.
Of the 4.5 percent of people who self-identify as monogamous but say they’re happiest in non-monogamous relationships, a majority of lived together, were married, engaged or civil partnered, leading Autostraddle to conclude that “for a majority of these women, non-monogamy isn’t necessarily a relationship style they prefer, but [they] are presently sacrificing for their partner’s sake.”
Of the 11.6 percent of people who self-identify as non-monogamous but say they’re happiest in monogamous relationships, a majority were in relationships barely 6 months to a year old and many reported wanting to find a deeper emotional and sexual connection with one partner rather than an open arrangement with multiple partners.
The study also disproved a few myths about non-monogamous people including the myth that they have more sex than monogamous people (they don’t). Also it seems that “non-monogamous people are far more likely to use protection than the monogamous” (probably to avoid the unknown risk of STD transmission from multiple partners).
(featured image via Les Media)
