In this third edition of The Sex Lives of College Students results are presented of more than a 100-question human sexuality survey administered over the past three decades (from 1990 to 2020) to thousands of college students ages 18-22. The goal is to better understand their sexual attitudes and behaviors, as well as trends. The findings raise awareness and provide perspective about students’ understanding of sex matters and related difficult issues, and tell us we still have a long way to go before people own their sexuality. The survey reinforces the fact that young adults are generally comfortable pursuing sexual relationships, but often fail to openly discuss sexual issues. Some of the results suggest that the double standard is alive and well, as when more college women than men say that love is important in sex. The Sex Lives of College Students provides a springboard for honest dialogue about the role of sexuality in people’s lives and a forum for more public discussion of private parts.
To buy the colorful paperback, click here.
For your Kindle, click here.
A nice article in the Bangor Daily News on 10/9/21 about my thirty years of research
Podcast for Sex and Psychology with Dr. Justin Lehmiller Oct 29, 2021
From the Foreword by Clive M. Davis, Ph.D.:
The study is unique. Nearly 7,000 students have answered the survey questions. Thus, the results offer considerable insight into the attitudes and behaviors of a diverse group of young adults, at specific points in time — and over time. Although the data are not longitudinal in the statistical sense (i.e., comparing the same people over time), the similarities and the differences between and among the groups over the years are instructive, suggesting changes that may have occurred over time. No one has collected comparable data over such a long time span. As you will see, these “snapshots” are often fascinating, especially if we look at them in relation to other trends in our culture over this same period of time.
–Clive M. Davis, Ph.D.
Emeritus Associate Professor of Psychology, Syracuse University
Past President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Past President of the Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Former Editor of The Journal of Sex Research
Sex Lives of College Students 