A new study in the United States indicated that women were more flexible and adaptive about their sexuality, and specifically more willing to try out or switch to the bisexual lifestyle. That finding was in contrast with men who were more likely to define themselves as either completely heterosexual or homosexual.
The study was conducted by Sociologist Elizabeth Aura McClintock, an assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame. She will present her findings next week at the American Sociological Association's 110th annual meeting.
The sexuality study tracked 5,018 women and 4,191 men in the U.S. That was from their adolescence to young adulthood, or around 16 to 28 years old.
The research did not focus on whether people were straight, gay, or lesbian when they were born. It was about changes in sexual identity.
Many people have an attraction to, and have had sexual experiences with both genders. Meanwhile, the degree of attraction can range from low to high.
However, research showed that unlike women, men were usually attracted to women or men, but not often both. Even bisexual men tended to prefer one particular gender over time.
In addition, certain women were more likely to experiment with the bisexual lifestyle. They included adult females who more physically attractive and educated, and avoided young motherhood, according to Dispatch Times.
The lead researcher explained that in society heterosexuality is the "default." Thus, when it is more available people are more likely to select it.
McClintock noted that society has defined sexuality identity over the years. For example, before the late 1800s a gay man engaged in "homosexuality," but later his identity was linked to the act of sex with another man and he was referred to as a "homosexual," according to Chicago Tribune.
The study included no interviews. Furthermore, McClintock found connections in her study, but no cause-effect relationships.