Friends With Benefits Use Condoms More Than Couples

A recent study shows that the friends with benefits scenario may offer an added bonus besides the regular, emotion-free sex – couples adopting this status are also more likely to use condoms, as opposed to regular couples. The online questionnaire which involved more than 370 people, most of which were in their twenties, asked a range of questions about their sex lives to determine any trends which may occur. Half of those questioned were in a traditional romantic attachment, and half were in a friends with benefits situation. The study, carried out by Justin Lehmiller, a social psychologist, provided some interesting results about the habits of young adults.

While those in the less than traditional scenario reported that they felt less sexually satisfied than when in a regular relationship, as well as feeling less able to express their sexual desires and feelings to their partner, it was noted that they were more likely to use condoms. However, this doesn’t mean that this scenario is the safest sexual practice – they were also more likely to have multiple partners. Those with a significant other felt more at ease and confident in expressing their erotic desires, due to a more relaxed environment surrounding their relationship.

More than ninety percent of those in a traditional relationship stated that they were monogamous to their partner, whereas only thirty-six of the second group reported to be so. The study also discovered that over half of university-aged students have been involved in a friends with benefits relationship. Researchers at Harvard University have suggested that further sex education is required in order to help young adults to navigate these relationships in a safer way and more maturely. This will help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases between partners, as well as helping them to deal with the emotional aspects of the attachment.