Diversity of Sexual Expression among Young Couples

William R. Grady, Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation
John O.G. Billy, Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation
Daniel H. Klepinger, Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation

In this analysis, we extend prior research that tends to examine different sexual behaviors as separate, isolated choices made by couples. In contrast, we examine the range of behaviors that couples incorporate into their sex lives. In this way we begin to develop an understanding of the individual, partner and relationship determinants of the diversity of sexual expression among couples. The results of this analysis suggest that there may be a hierarchy of sexual behaviors among couples. Vaginal sex appears to be nearly always included as a behavior among those who have sex over a one-month period. Oral and anal intercourse, in comparison, are almost never an unaccompanied behavior but are rather companion behaviors to vaginal intercourse. Further, in more than three-quarters of couples, anal sex only occurs when the three other behaviors considered also occur and it almost never without vaginal intercourse also occurring.