The Americans Having the Most Sex

Contrary to the popular perception that religious faith and a satisfying sex life are incompatible, new research by the Institute for Family Studies reveals that married couples who regularly attend religious services are having more sex and more satisfying sex than their secular counterparts. This group, primarily consisting of Christians, Jews, and Muslims, is largely responsible for keeping the "sex recession" at bay in America.

In the 1990s, 64% of married individuals aged 20-54, both religious and non-religious, reported having sex at least once a week. Today, only 48% of secular couples and 62% of religious couples have sex weekly. Notably, both religious husbands and wives in the 20-54 age group are significantly more likely to describe their sex lives as "excellent" or "very good" compared to secular couples.

The study, "The Devout Difference: Religion, Marital Quality, and Sex Among Americans," conducted with family scholars Richard Dell’Isola and Jane Lankes Smith, suggests that the cultural stereotype of sexually inhibited religious Americans is not supported by the data. Religious faith appears to contribute to more satisfying marital relationships through virtues like forgiveness and fidelity, which help prevent marital problems and enhance overall marital happiness.

Moreover, religious rituals like shared prayer not only foster emotional intimacy but also help manage the stresses of family life, which may explain why daily prayer is associated with a 1.29 times higher likelihood of sexual satisfaction among religious couples. Religious Americans also tend to embrace an ethic of sexual generosity, being more willing to acknowledge and accommodate differing sexual appetites between partners.