Economic Downturn and Male Promiscuity Connected?

Sex and money, money and sex. The connection has existed for centuries, typically linked with greed or power. However, new research is pointing to a dim financial environment as a possible reason for increasing numbers of men engaging in sex with multiple partners. The research may also turn expert attention toward the reasons why some people may be more prone to love addiction, moving from relationship to relationship to avoid negative feelings or deep-seated fears.

A recent article on ScienceDaily discusses this connection between a poor economy and increases in male sexual activity with different partners, stating that men may feel more vulnerable and go into a type of “survival” mode when economic conditions seem daunting. This survival mode may mean that subconsciously they become more interested in reproducing and ensuring that even if their existence looks threatened, their young will remain.

University of Kansas researchers conducted the study by tracking men’s responses to images that were not sexual and those geared toward garnering a sex response. Checking information on factors like blood flow and heart rate, they concluded that in a daunting environment that puts survival in question, the men’s responses to sexual cues were quicker.

Study authors assume that in a turbulent economic environment, men may try harder to have more offspring, which may contribute to higher levels of infidelity or promiscuity. For others, the “survival” mechanism may be demonstrated in love addiction, marked by a series of relationships and a feeling of strong anxiety when a relationship ends.

This is the first study that directly compares these types of behavior-based and thought-based factors connected with sexual behaviors. The research may complement new research on sexual addictions and addictions to relationships, because many people with these types of addictions are “acting out” against fears and insecurities by having sex with multiple partners.