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Gender and Positive Human Sexuality

Women Highly sexual women have several positive benefits over less sexual women, including having a higher sex drive and higher body satisfaction, a positive attitude towards sex outside a relationship, and more frequent sexual fantasies. The researchers say that this contests the stereotype that women only enjoy sex in relational context, and are not interested in pursuing sexual pleasure. Overall, it has been found that women with a high acceptance of their own sexual identity (sexual preferences, values, needs and desires beyond sexual orientation), as well as a steady sexual self-concept, have more positive sexual outcome for women, such as greater sexual satisfaction. | Also, research shows that greater sexual interest has been shown to relate to more positive emotions and happiness, just as lower sexual interest correlates with depression.

Couples In a study by Heiman et al, 200 heterosexual couples ages 40-70 (median age 55 for men, 52 for women), in each of five countries (Brazil, Germany, Japan, Spain, and the U.S.), with a total of 1009 couples, were questioned about their relationship satisfaction. The average couple was together 25 years. For men, relationship satisfaction was contingent on health, physical intimacy and sexual functioning. For women, relationship satisfaction was only governed by sexual functioning. Relationship that lasted longer were seen to predict higher relationship happiness for men, but women in relationships of 20-40 years, were pointedly less likely than the men to report relationship happiness. Compared to men, women exhibited lower sexual satisfaction earlier in a relationship, and higher sexual satisfaction later. In the same study, the researchers tested relevant variables contributing to sexual and relationship outcomes. Different patterns emerged by outcome and by gender. For men only, the physical intimacy variables, including but not limited to kissing/cuddling, partner touch/caressing, and (to a lesser extent) the importance of their partners orgasm. For women and men, regular kissing and cuddling and regular partner touching/caressing were important. For both men and women, sexual satisfaction was linked to sexual frequency, but not necessarily relationship happiness.

In relationships, sexuality is an important factor in determining satisfaction and happiness. In a study by Laumann et al, 2006, it was found that, in a cross study of individuals from 29 countries, that the individuals who had the most satisfaction in their sex lives were also the ones who were happiest with their lives overall. As well, they were more likely to be more satisfied with their relationship in general, and this did not change whether they were dating or married. Further, individuals with satisfying sexual and romantic relationships have a higher rate of physical and psychological well-being.