Dutch going solo when it comes to sex

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dpa German Press Agency
Published: Wednesday December 6, 2006

Amsterdam- A partner is increasingly unnecessary when it comes to sex, in the view of a growing number of Dutch people who choose to go solo or find something stimulating on the internet. A new large-scale survey that compares sexual behaviour today with that of 15 years ago has found that six out of 10 couples now has sex only once a week or less. In 1991, that figure was four out of 10.

The researchers from the Rutgers Nisso group acknowledged the difficulties in surveying sexual attitudes and practice. The results may also have been skewed by the fact much of the data collection in 1991 was done face to face, whereas the new survey made use of the internet.

This may have enhanced another finding: that many people are reaching for the internet for sex, whether watching pornography or finding real or virtual partners for erotic stimulus, and satisfaction.

"More sex behind the computer, less within relationships. I thought that might be the case, but where is this leading?" researcher Ine Vanwesenbeck told the Volkskrant newspaper.

She found that 80 per cent of men used pornography, with two thirds doing so at least once a month. The fact that the use of pornography is normal, in statistical terms at least, means that judgements on whether it is harmful are difficult to make.

The finding that 40 per cent of women did so too was perhaps more surprising, although only half of them did so regularly. The better educated the woman, the more likely they were to look at pornography.

The survey found that three quarters of women masturbated, 18 per cent of them at least once a week, and that the use of sex toys was on the rise, with four out of 10 ten making use of one.

But one finding contradicted perceptions of widespread promiscuity in an increasingly sexualized social environment. Only a small minority stray from their long-term partners - even fewer than 15 years ago, when the AIDS scare was at its height.

In the six months before being asked, only 7 per cent of those surveyed had had sex outside their firm relationship.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency