Exploring the Impact of Age and Relationship Status on Heterosexual Men’s Discussion of Sexuality

This study focused on heterosexual men’s attitudes and behaviors related to discussion of sexuality. Exploration of men’s discussion of sexuality is important because talking about sex can contribute to sexual subjectivity and build intimacy in sexual relationships. Comfort talking about sex, particularly with women partners, can also enhance communication regarding sexual issues. Heterosexually-identifying U.S. resident men (N = 742), ages 18–49, participated in an online study. Men answered questions about how often they discuss sex, who they discuss sex with, and their comfort level talking about sex. Findings indicated that men ages 18–29 discussed sex more often with other men than men ages 30–49. Also, men who are dating or engaged are significantly more likely to talk with both men and women about sex than men who are not in a relationship. These findings highlight that age and relationship status impact discussion of sexuality.