Women Who Instigate Casual Sex Less Likely To Feel Regret
March 13, 2018
In one of the most interesting studies I have seen in a while, it appears that women are less likely to regret casual sex if THEY are the ones who instigated it.
Previous studies had shown that women regret one night stands more than men. For this one, researchers interviewed 547 Norwegian and 216 American university students, all of them heterosexual on their views on casual sex. Their answers suggested that the “clearest gender-differentiating factor” for regret after it is who made the first move.
Good Sex Is Has Better Outcomes
The research also showed that women feel less regret if their partner was actually good in bed.
All the participants in the the study undertaken by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Texas were aged under 30 years, so of a demographic who were more likely to have regular casual sex.
“Women who initiate sex are likely to have at least two distinguishing qualities,” says Prof David Buss from the University of Texas.
“First, they are likely to have a healthy sexual psychology, being maximally comfortable with their own sexuality.
“Second, women who initiate have maximum choice of precisely who they want to have sex with. Consequently, they have less reason to feel regret, since they’ve made their own choice,” he adds.
The results are “another reminder of the importance of women’s ability to make autonomous decisions regarding their sexual behaviours,” says Joy P. Wyckoff from the University of Texas.
“Regret is a highly unpleasant emotion and our findings suggest that having control over their decision to engage in sex buffered women from experiencing regret,” she says.
When it comes to how good the sex was, it seems this is a major factor when it comes to regret.
“Women have less regret if the sex was good. For men, this also plays a less important role. The underlying causes are biological,” says Mons Bendixen, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the NTNU.
But why is this the case? Well it seems the answer is biological.”
Sexual disgust is an important adaptive emotion,” says Prof Buss.
“It functions to help people avoid, now or in the future, potential sex partners who are either low in mate value or who carry some risk of sexually transmitted infections.”
Common Sense
I have to say, this was fascinating, but it does make sense. If you are in control of the situation, and it is your doing, it is less likely that you will regret it. If you feel like you have been manipulated into a situation, then you will feel worse.
When it comes to the quality of sex, of course you will regret it less if it is good. I have had sex in the past which has caused me real ballache in my private life, but if it has been good I have thought about it more fondly than I have any real business doing. The fact it is SO important for women is the part that is interesting.
So this is a message to everyone. Let the woman take charge, and guys, be good in bed. Then you will always make sure the woman leaves with a big smile on her face, which is of course is what both of you want.
Since then, he has specialised in articles on the battle for equal rights for sex workers, sexual health, as well as bringing the readers fun news from around the world. He also has a major interest in LGBT rights, and is an active campaigner in this field.
When he isn't fighting the good fight, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, and young daughter. He also enjoys reading and taking long walks.
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