Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14–94
Sexual behavior varies widely across the lifespan, and no single repertoire defines normal sexuality.
Orgasmaphoria editorial perspective
About this source
Population surveys are most useful for replacing myth with range. A percentage describes a sampled population at a particular moment; it never tells a reader what they should want or do.
Why it matters: This source demonstrates that identity and intimacy cannot be understood through one cultural default. It adds language readers can use to notice whose experience is missing and whose boundaries are being assumed.
Purpose and scope
Estimate the prevalence and combinations of recent sexual behaviors across age groups in the United States.
5,865 United States adolescents and adults ages 14–94 from a national probability sample.
Findings or central themes
Participants reported diverse behavioral repertoires, with patterns differing by age and gender; the study supplies a broad population baseline rather than a standard for any individual.
Strengths
Large national probability sample, wide age range, and measurement of multiple partnered and solo behaviors.
Limitations
Cross-sectional self-report from 2009; categories and behavior measures cannot capture every identity, relationship, meaning, or subsequent social change.
Do not use this source to claim: Individual norms, causal claims, or a complete picture of identities and behaviors after 2009
Citation and access
Debby Herbenick, Michael Reece, Vanessa Schick, Stephanie A. Sanders, Brian Dodge, J. Dennis Fortenberry (2010). Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14–94. The Journal of Sexual Medicine DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02012.x
Public abstract
External sources may change, move, require payment, or have different privacy practices. This library record is educational context, not medical, legal, or emergency advice.
