Who Finishes, Who Enjoys, and Who Gets Left Behind? The Unequal Distribution of Sexual Pleasure

• In Event: 50661 - Section on Sociology of Sexualities Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Scripting Selves & Sexualities

Abstract

Sexual pleasure is deeply embedded in social structures, with gender, race, and sexual orientation shaping disparities in orgasmic success, sexual enjoyment, and the obligation to prioritize a partner’s pleasure. While existing research has documented the gendered “orgasm gap,” less attention has been given to broader experiences of sexual satisfaction and the expectation to “finish” for a partner despite not wanting sexual intercourse. This study examines these dimensions of sexual inequality using data from the Online College Social Life Survey (OCSLS) (N = 24,131).
Applying an intersectional multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (I-MAIHDA) framework, I assess disparities in self-reported orgasmic success, sexual enjoyment, and finishing behaviors among college students. Findings reveal that women (MTF included) are significantly more likely than men (FTM included) to report no orgasm and no sexual enjoyment, while also being more likely to finish a partner despite lacking interest in intercourse. Racial disparities also emerge: Black, Asian American, and Native American individuals report lower levels of orgasmic success and sexual enjoyment, though they are less likely to engage in obligatory sexual behaviors. Queer individuals present a pleasure-obligation paradox, experiencing higher orgasmic success yet reporting lower enjoyment and higher rates of finishing for a partner.
Contrary to assumptions that stratum contexts play a role in shaping these disparities, multilevel modeling suggests that most variation is explained by individual-level characteristics rather than stratum-level differences. These findings underscore how sexual inequalities are deeply embedded in broader gendered, racialized, and heteronormative norms. This study contributes to sociological understandings of sexual power dynamics and calls for intersectional sexual health interventions that challenge unequal expectations in sexual experiences.

Author

• W. Jamie Yang, University of Oregon