Formerly repressed, these sexual practices have become common among the French, according to this survey

Since the 1970s, in addition to new information related to the sexual health of French people, frequency of sexual intercourse or number of partners in a lifetime are perfect examples. “Contexts of sexuality in France” Allows you to be aware of it. Launched in 1970, renewed in 1992, 2006 and 2023, it allows us to understand the evolution of sexuality in France.

This Inserm and ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases Survey was based on information collected from 31,518 people aged 15 to 89 and living in mainland France, Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe and Reunion Island. Part of the data is interesting To the customs of the French.

solitary pleasure is in full swing

Among the major developments in sexual practices, it should be noted that masturbation is far more prevalent (or accepted) than it was thirty years ago. At every age, people report more often Have already practiced masturbation,

This increase still remains more pronounced among women. In 1992, 42.4% of women aged 18 to 69 reported that they had already masturbated, rising to 56.5% in 2006 and 72.9% in 2023. Among men of the same age, the practice is integrated into long-standing sexual repertoires and the increase is less marked, rising from 82.8% in 1992 to 89.9% in 2006 and 92.6% in 2023. Although it is not possible to know whether masturbation is more prevalent or whether it is less taboo and more accepted, the fact is that speech or mind appears to be freer about solitary pleasure.

diversification of practices

Apart from marking the rise of masturbation or the beginning of the end of the taboo, this report highlights the diversification of sexual practices among the French. While the number of partners and diversity of sexual orientations over the course of men’s and women’s lives has increased significantly over the past thirty years, they are also practices that are being renewed,

The report’s authors say, “Performance of sexual practices has varied considerably over time, and more and more men and women are choosing to experiment with sexual practices other than vaginal intercourse (masturbation, oral sex, and anal intercourse).” Have informed.” The percentage of people who have ever experienced (performed or received) fellatio during their lifetime has also increased over time, from 63.2% in 1992 to 84.4% in 2023 among women, and from 75.3% to 90.5% among men. the same observation can be made about cunnilingus,

Anal penetration, less taboo than before

The prevalence of anal penetration (performed or received) has also increased over time, from 23.4% in 1992 to 38.9% in 2023 among women, and from 29.6% to 57.4% among men. The practice was later integrated into sexual performance, especially among women, being more common among those aged 30 to 39 compared to those aged 18–29. “These developments reflect the expansion of sexual repertoires seen since the early 1970s, which underpin much more diverse sexualities and are less and less limited to relationships with vaginal penetration,” the authors concluded.

Another survey also confirms the decline in taboos around anal sex, as revealed by a survey conducted by LoveHoneyGroup in 2023. The latter shows, among other practices, that 40% of the women asked a question about “anal surfacing” (a practice involving stimulating the surface of the anus) appreciated this practice.