Britons changing their sexual ideas?

A new poll (of 1,790 British adults aged 16-64) suggests that Britons have a more relaxed attitude to sex than they are stereotyped. However, it also shows that they are generally more restrained.

Key findings include:

• 84% think schools should teach about sexual behaviour and relationships
• 65% think prostitution should be legalised
• One-in-three people has slept with someone from a different ethnic background
• The proportion of people losing their virginity before the age of consent, 16, has fallen from 32% in 2002 to 20%, with the number losing their virginity at age 14 or 15 dropping from 23% to 15%
• Britons have sex on average 6 times per month
• 40% have been unfaithful
• 28% are very satisfied with their sex lives, 34% fairly satisfied.
• 18% of men compared, with 2% of women, would consider paying for sex

Kaye Wellings, professor of sexual and reproductive health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said:

‘It’s better for society to have tolerant attitudes but quite constrained behaviour, rather than censorious attitudes and repressed behaviour. While Britons are becoming increasingly tolerant towards same-sex sex and paying for sex, for example, the vast majority of people are not doing the things they’re quite relaxed about. That’s good for the country’s sexual health.’

Read the full article: Sex: Britain’s quiet revolution