Sex, Sexuality, and Romance

Pornography

Moral Panic and Youthful Pleasure

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on November 13, 2024

Nearly all youths watch porn and yet parents appear unaware of this behavior. Most appear to avoid this conversation, and yet they fear the effects porn will have on their child.

Nearly all youths watch porn and yet parents appear unaware of this behavior. Most appear to avoid this conversation, and yet they fear the effects porn will have on their child.

Adolescence

Are Young Women Into Porn?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on October 17, 2024

Although adults realize boys and young men frequently watch porn, they might be surprised at how many girls and young women also use it.

Although adults realize boys and young men frequently watch porn, they might be surprised at how many girls and young women also use it.

Gender

Are Millennial Men Masculine?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on June 23, 2024

Many young straight men describe their masculinity in complex ways in tune with their millennial generation’s new masculinity.

Many young straight men describe their masculinity in complex ways in tune with their millennial generation’s new masculinity.

Sex

Sex Lives of Straight Young Men

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on June 18, 2024

Most men have first sexual intercourse by the one-year anniversary of high school graduation. The consequences of first sex range from exuberance to disastrous.

Most men have first sexual intercourse by the one-year anniversary of high school graduation. The consequences of first sex range from exuberance to disastrous.

Sexual Orientation

Do Bi Men Exist?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on June 14, 2024

Reports indicate a large increase in non-straight youths during the past decade. But has this increase included young men?

Reports indicate a large increase in non-straight youths during the past decade. But has this increase included young men?

Sex

Early “Sex” Among Straight Young Men

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on February 11, 2024

Occasionally, first sex was genital contact which occurred when an unexpected opportunity presented itself and a same-sex age girl initiated genital activities.

Occasionally, first sex was genital contact which occurred when an unexpected opportunity presented itself and a same-sex age girl initiated genital activities.

Sex

Early Erotic Memories Among Straight Men

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on February 6, 2024

We seldom ask our sons, students, and clients about their early erotic feelings and attractions. Maybe we should if we want to know them more completely.

We seldom ask our sons, students, and clients about their early erotic feelings and attractions. Maybe we should if we want to know them more completely.

Sex

Early Romantic Memories of Straight Men

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on February 2, 2024

Many young men recall romantic encounters or feelings as their first memory, reminding us that men, as well as women, are romantic from an early age.

Many young men recall romantic encounters or feelings as their first memory, reminding us that men, as well as women, are romantic from an early age.

Sex

Understanding the Sexual and Romantic Life of Straight Men

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on January 28, 2024

We know relatively little about the early sexual and romantic life of straight men.

We know relatively little about the early sexual and romantic life of straight men.

Sex

Why Some Singles Are Much Happier Than Others

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on November 7, 2022

To some extent, the decision of whether to marry depends on the frequency and satisfaction of sexual activity one has as a singleton.

To some extent, the decision of whether to marry depends on the frequency and satisfaction of sexual activity one has as a singleton.

Sex

What Men and Women Really Want in a Potential Mate

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on October 9, 2022

Women still want ambition and status in a man. Men still want attractiveness and youthfulness in a woman.

Women still want ambition and status in a man. Men still want attractiveness and youthfulness in a woman.

Sex

Before Having Sex With a Friend, You'd Better Set Some Rules

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on October 1, 2022

Suggestions for topic rules to be covered include communications, sex acts, and the relationship.

Suggestions for topic rules to be covered include communications, sex acts, and the relationship.

Sex

Are Marriage Rates Declining Because Of Cheap Sex?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on August 12, 2022

Personal Perspective: Having premarital sex might delay marriage but it does not change marriage rates, although it might delay the onset of marriage.

Personal Perspective: Having premarital sex might delay marriage but it does not change marriage rates, although it might delay the onset of marriage.

Gender

Is Being Gender-Atypical Easier for Women or Men?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on August 2, 2022

Boys report higher levels of coercion than girls to conform to gender norms and expectations, primarily due to pressure they inflict on themselves.

Boys report higher levels of coercion than girls to conform to gender norms and expectations, primarily due to pressure they inflict on themselves.

Sex

Is Cuddling or Intercourse More Important for Sexual Pleasure?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on July 15, 2022

Rubbing genitals and having intercourse often give young people less sexual pleasure than kissing and cuddling.

Rubbing genitals and having intercourse often give young people less sexual pleasure than kissing and cuddling.

Sex

Maybe Gay, Maybe Lesbian, Maybe Not Totally

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on June 16, 2022

Not all who have considerable same-sex attractions are totally lesbian or gay—and we need to respect that diversity.

Not all who have considerable same-sex attractions are totally lesbian or gay—and we need to respect that diversity.

Little is known about the characteristics of polygamous relationships, except for their reports of relative satisfaction, sexual frequency, commitment, communications, and acceptance.

Polyamory

Myths About Polyamory, and the Emerging Truth

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on April 19, 2022

Little is known about the prevalence or characteristics of polyamorous relationships, but there are many unsupported myths and stereotypes.

Little is known about the prevalence or characteristics of polyamorous relationships, but there are many unsupported myths and stereotypes.

Sex

Do Men Need Women to Fake Orgasms for Them?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on February 16, 2022

If a woman feels more secure in her womanhood than a man does in his manhood, she might sacrifice her own sexual satisfaction to help him out.

If a woman feels more secure in her womanhood than a man does in his manhood, she might sacrifice her own sexual satisfaction to help him out.

Gender

My Body, My Self: Thinness or Muscularity?

Ritch C. Savin-Williams Ph.D. on January 8, 2022

Women believe men desire thinness in a romantic partner and men believe women desire muscularity. Is this also true for gays and lesbians?

Women believe men desire thinness in a romantic partner and men believe women desire muscularity. Is this also true for gays and lesbians?