Sexual attraction among women and men aged 18-24

 

This week we take a look at the sexual attraction preferences between women and men aged 18-24.

The graph shows the percent distribution of sexual attraction for women and men aged 18–24. According to the study, men in 2011–2013 were more likely to say they were attracted “only to the opposite sex” (88.6%) compared with women (75.9%). 

Women (82.8%) and men (93.4%) aged 25-44 were far more likely to say they were attracted “only to the opposite sex” compared to those aged 18-24.  

Never-married, non-cohabiting men aged 18-44 were less likely to say they were attracted “only to the opposite sex” (86.4%) compared with men in other marital or cohabiting status groups, although this same pattern by marital status was not seen for women. 

As to sexual attraction and educational attainment, women aged 22–44 with no high school diploma or GED were more likely (85.9%) to say they were attracted “only to the opposite sex” compared with women with a high school diploma or GED (79.1%). The same applies to women with a bachelor’s degree or higher (84.7%) in contrast to those with some college and no bachelor’s degree (78.5%). 

As far as race is concerned, non-Hispanic white women (79.6%) were less likely than Hispanic women (84.7%) and black women (84.2%) to say they were attracted “only to the opposite sex.” 

Source: Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Orientation Among Adults Aged 18-44 in the United States: Data From the 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth