The Next Step: Current Sexual Lifestyles and Future Intentions

Abstract

Using data from a nationally representative survey of sexual behavior in the United Kingdom, this visualization shows participants’ current sexual lifestyles and their ideal lifestyles five years from now. It demonstrates strong preferences for relationship progression toward cohabitation, marriage, and monogamy. Only a small minority of participants express a long-term preference for casual relationships, no sexual relationship, or any nonmonogamous lifestyle. Of currently nonmonogamous participants, a majority indicate a preference for a monogamous future, although a significant minority of nonmonogamous participants who are cohabiting or married wish to keep their lifestyles in five years’ time.