Sexual Pleasures: Latest Coitus (4)

4. The most recent coitus

The egalitarianism regarding sex life during the last two decades is evident from the fact that women take the initiative in intercourse significantly more often than before. However, men still have slightly more initiative than women. Comparisons of men's and women's replies show that men emphasize the initiative of women more than women do. More often than men, women construe the initiative as mutual. The change is increasingly evident in younger age groups, in which an increasing percentage found the initiative mutual. We will show later, that intercourse seems more satisfactory if the initiative is experienced as mutual.

Twenty years ago, social factors explained mutual initiative to a much greater degree than now. Earlier simultaneous initiative by both sexes was commonest in the youngest age groups and among those not married; now age and marital status do not influence initiative. In 1992 - but not in 1971 - it was a characteristic of frequent drinkers of alcohol that sexual initiative was mutual. When comparing social groups, it was seen that the initiative of women in upper white-collar employees was at the highest level, nearly on par with that of men.

The positions used in intercourse were not subject of deeper study, but the question about the position used in the most recent intercourse was included in both studies, both times with five predetermined alternatives: 1. Face to face, man on top; 2. Face to face, woman on top; 3. On our sides; 4. Other position; 5. Two or more positions.

The positions used in sexual intercourse have become more varied since the 1971 study. Then a mere 15% reported having used two or more positions, in 1992, 33%. Woman-on-top had also gained some popularity. In 1971 68% of men performed intercourse in the 'missionary' position, with the man on top, now only 43%. Slightly less than one tenth engaged in sexual intercourse lying on their side.

The greater variation of positions used in intercourse is an indication of a real difference between generations, and not a consequence of the routine to which a relationship of long standing is subjected. Irrespective of the duration of the relationship or the partner of the last sexual intercourse (own, steady partner or someone else) positions have been used approximately in an equal manner. There are significant differences between the positions assumed by young people, the middle-aged and the elderly. As for females, upper white-collar women and students have used the most varied positions. Sexual activity is a part of their active social role.

Younger generations have gotten more versatile information on sex life, and have therefore been able to use varied positions. People using many positions usually indulge in foreplay, oral sex and satisfying the partner manually. Approximately two thirds of the people who used at least two positions in their most recent intercourse had done so. People who use the man-on-top position used these methods for optional or additional pleasure.

The share of people that drank alcohol before their most recent sexual intercourse grew a little during the last 20 years, for men from 21% to 25%, for women from 11% to 16%. This reflects the overall increased use of alcohol in Finland. Six per cent of men and 2% of women had used rather much or a lot of alcohol before their last sexual intercourse.

The use of alcohol before the most recent sexual intercourse was much more frequent among the unmarried and the divorced than among the married and widowers/widows, similarly among those usually drinking more frequently than among those drinking alcohol more seldom. Gender, age, education and the importance of religion did not explain the use of alcohol in connection with sexual intercourse, when the impact of these factors was standardized using the MC analysis. Alcohol was used before intercourse in all social groups when a person did not have any steady partner and usually drank alcohol frequently. Sometimes alcohol constitutes part of making social contacts.

<hr>