Millennials have had an average of eight pre-marital partners
Those born in the 1970s have an average of 10 pre-marital partners
People born in the 1950s and 1960s have an average of 11 sexual partners
Wider acceptance of sexuality among youth in addition to sexual knowledge has lead to less sex
By ALEXANDRA KLAUSNER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 6 May 2015
Pre-marital sex is more tolerated among youth than it’s ever been but millennials are having less sex than their baby-boomer parents did, a study has revealed.
Better sexual education may play a role, according to the research.
A survey of 33,000 people published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that 58 per cent of those surveyed in 2012 thought premarital sex was acceptable compared to 44 per cent in 2004.
In 1972 just 28 per cent approved of premarital sex and in 1978, 38 per cent of the population held more progressive views.
Study author: ‘Although millennials are more tolerant of these behaviors, they’re not taking that is license to sleep around,’ said report author Jean Twenge, who also wrote Generation Me
In 1982, 44 per cent of the population were engaged in per-marital sex and viewed it as an acceptable behavior.
While it may seem that wider acceptance of sexual practices leads to more sex the numbers say otherwise.
Those born in the 1950s and 1960s averaged 11 sex partners as adults while those born in the 1970s only averaged 10, Time reports.
Babies born in the 80s and 90s are averaged eight sexual partners each.
The group that had the least amount of sex were those born around 1924 who had an average of just two partners each.
‘Although millennials are more tolerant of these behaviors, they’re not taking that is license to sleep around,’ said report author Jean Twenge, who also wrote Generation Me.
Twenge noted that the lessening number of sexual partners may have to do with increased knowledge of STIs and other sexual risks.
”Millennials have never known a world where premarital sex was a taboo,’ she said.
Twenge added that baby boomer parents may be disapproving of millennial’ sexuality but will close their mouths when it come to their own sexual behavior.
‘What you might see when millennial are discussing these issues with their boomer parents is that millennial are more permissive of sexuality,’ Twenge said.
‘Boomers might have to shut their mouths about how many partners they’ve had, she added
Less sex: Millennials are more knowledgeable about sexual risks which may be why they are having less sex than their parents, a study reveals