Men and women report similar levels of “duty sex,” and similar reasons behind it
Sex out of obligation is often treated as a red flag in relationships. But a new study suggests it may serve a purpose for some people, appearing most often when they sense their relationship could be under threat.
A new study published in Evolutionary Psychology indicates that both men and women frequently engage in sexual activity driven by a sense of duty, rather than personal desire. This phenomenon, termed "duty sex," is defined as consensual sexual behavior motivated by a feeling of obligation to one's partner, rather than sexual pleasure or the prospect of procreation.
The research suggests that factors such as concerns about a partner's infidelity, feelings of partner superiority, and higher levels of emotional instability are associated with an increased tendency to engage in duty sex. For evolutionary psychologists, the function of duty sex is a topic of interest, as it could serve as a strategy to maintain romantic relationships when one partner perceives the other as being more desirable or when the relationship is at risk of ending.
According to evolutionary theory, losing a partner would have had significant consequences for ancestral couples' reproductive success. This pressure likely drove the development of mate retention tactics, which can be broadly categorized into cost-inflicting behaviors aimed at discouraging a partner from leaving and benefit-provisioning behaviors that enhance the relationship's appeal.
The study posits that duty sex may function as a benefit-provisioning tactic, using sexual access to sustain a partner's commitment during times of relationship stress.
Written by urgent.news from PsyPost's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
