French women like men in bed

A recently released study on sexual habits in France showed than women are becoming as aggressive, and in some cases more aggressive in their pursuit of sex. The two sociologists who compiled the research said that the French had fewer sexual taboos and inhibitions than ever before.

The Le Nouvel Observateur released extracts of a 600 page study on sexuality in France, that included 12,000 in-depth interviews with people of all ages conducted between 2005-06.

Some of the biggest surprises were:

French men aged between 18 and 24 “manifests no interest in sexuality”, while abstinence rates for men under 35 was twice as high as for women.

Male and female sexual behaviour had become increasingly similar.

The proportion of French women who claim to have had only one partner has dropped from 68 per cent in 1970, to 43 per cent in 1992 and 34 per cent in 2006. A woman’s average number of partners has risen from under two in 1970 to over five today, while a man’s has remained the same for four decades, almost 13.

French women’s first experience of sex is now almost as early as that of the opposite sex: in 1950 there was a two-year difference, but the gap has narrowed to four months, to around 17 and a half. Meanwhile, more women remain sexually active for longer than previously: nine-out-of-10 women over 50 are sexually active today, compared to just 50 per cent of that age group in 1970.

“The good old dichotomy (male predators, females patiently awaiting the warrior’s return in front of the cave entrance) is in big trouble”, said Le Nouvel Observateur.

Female sexual emancipation has been a hot topic in France ever since President Nicolas Sarkozy met Carla Bruni, the Italian model and singer. The couple married last month.

Ms Bruni recently declared monogamy “terribly boring” and spoke in relaxed fashion about her numerous past conquests, including Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton.

“I am a tamer [of men], a cat, an Italian”, she told Le Figaro last year.

“I am faithful… to myself. I am monogamous from time to time but I prefer polygamy and polyandry [its female equivalent].”

At the same time, she reinforced old stereotypes that link status and virility, by reportedly declaring: “I want a man with nuclear power.”

Despite the changes in female behaviour observed in the study, some things have not altered in 40 years. Men found it easier than women to disassociate sex from love, but the research suggested this was due to nurture rather than nature. The study said: “Young women are still educated to consider their entrance into sexuality as a sentimental-relationship experience.”

This new found aggressiveness has been a boom for sex counselors, according to one estimate sex counselors now treat half a million patients per year.

Perhaps two world wars and 50 years of socialism have emasculated the male French herd to the point where French women are more sexually aggressive than their male counterparts.

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