Study: Women Care More About Partner’s “Body Count” Than Men
A recent survey by sexual wellness brand Lovehoney has revealed shifting attitudes to a partner’s number of past sexual partners – commonly referred to as “body count” – and uncovered surprising gender and generational patterns. The research, conducted among more than 2,000 UK adults, asked respondents how they feel about a prospective partner’s sexual history.
According to the figures, 72% of men said their partner’s past sexual partners do not bother them, compared with 66% of women. This six-point gap challenges the often-portrayed stereotype that men are more judgemental about a partner’s sexual history. As Lovehoney’s expert explained: “For decades, dating culture … has told us that men are the ones who obsess over numbers. But our data shows that overall men are pushing back on that pressure and embracing a far more progressive and emotionally intelligent mindset.”
The generational divides proved even more striking. The survey found that 41% of Gen Z respondents (both men and women) said they do care about a partner’s body count – a figure that exceeds the national average of about 29%. Older generations were far less concerned: only around 16% of Gen X and older groups reported that their partner’s past sexual partners mattered to them.
While most respondents said they were unconcerned with a partner’s previous sexuality – men slightly more so – the research signals the complexity of dating attitudes today and how they have changed from the traditions of previous generations. As an expert in the study states, “Women have historically faced more judgment around sex … It’s not about women being less open, it’s about unlearning years of messaging that equates sexual experience with shame or comparison”. With apps like Feeld currently heavily embracing kink as a part of relationships, there is definitely some truth to the idea that modern generations – and especially women – are more open about sex than they could have been several decades ago.
