The Gender Gap in Orgasms: Survey Data from a Mid-sized Canadian City

• In Event: 1480 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Doing Sexuality

Abstract

Sexuality research has established a durable gap in orgasm frequency between men and women. In partnered, heterosexual sex, men have more orgasms than women. Explanations for why this is so range from the anatomical to the sociological. In this paper, we examine these durable findings using simple crosstab analysis of a survey of sexual behavior from one Canadian city: Hamilton, Ontario. We find a gender gap that is similar to earlier studies, though not as pronounced. Our findings suggest that the underlying cause of the orgasm gender gap is neither anatomical nor relationship-based, but rather a practical matter of the type of sexual behavior in which partners engage. Specifically, we find that women who receive oral sex are more likely to reach orgasm. Our findings imply that the causes of the gender gap in orgasm are not anatomical or relationship-based, but rather sociological in nature.

Authors

• Nicole Andrejek, McMaster University

• Tina Fetner, McMaster University