We tend to think that there is sex for the sake of sex itself, that is, a banal release of sexual tension. That is, we are talking about sex and nothing else.
This view of casual sex is very common. However, it turns out that casual sex is often more than just a physical act of sexual gratification.
According to new research published in the Journal of Relationships Research, for many people there is an important emotional component to this process, which is equally necessary. New research looks at how young people view casual encounters. The researchers surveyed over 600 college students about their willingness to engage in several different acts of intimacy and affection with a casual partner, and found that most participants seemed to be open to the idea of ​​combining intimacy with casual sex. For example, more than half of the participants wanted to cuddle with a casual partner, and more than a quarter wanted to look each other in the eyes.
On average, women are more likely to want intimacy during casual sex than men; however, most men also wanted intimacy. For women in general, scientists continue, not only contact is important, but also the feeling of being wanted. As well as many men, it is important to receive admiration. This research has a number of important implications. On the one hand, it makes us think differently about what "casual sex" really means — it's not necessarily an emotionless romance. In addition, the study also adds evidence that sex and emotion are more interconnected for men than stereotypes suggest.