{
  "id": 16887282,
  "title": "Men and women report similar levels of “duty sex,” and similar reasons behind it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/men-and-women-report-similar-levels-of-duty-sex-and-similar-reasons",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-28T11:00:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/men-and-women-report-similar-levels-of-duty-sex-and-similar-reasons-behind-it/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Both men and women engage in duty sex, driven by obligation to partner",
    "Duty sex linked to concerns about infidelity, partner superiority, instability",
    "May serve as mate retention tactic to maintain relationships during stress"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Engaging in sexual activity out of obligation functions as a strategic benefit-provisioning tactic used by both sexes to maintain relationship stability and prevent partner infidelity during periods of emotional instability.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}