What Are the Effects of Multiple Sexual Partners on Marriage and Divorce?

A detailed examination of marriage trends found that individuals who have more than two sexual partners prior to marriage may be less likely to divorce than individuals with just two sexual partners before marriage.

The research suggests that women with precisely two sexual partners, including their future husband and just one other person, were significantly more likely to end up getting divorced as compared to women with more sexual experience before marriage. Interestingly, the research also indicates that women with just one sexual partner – their husband – were better off as well.

The study explored marital trends throughout the US in the 1980s and 1990s and divorce rates in the past decade. The data was collected over several time periods, including 2006-2010 and 2011-2013. The point of the study was to see whether changing attitudes toward premarital sex could have a substantial effect on the probability of divorce.

Nicholas Wolfinger, the author of the marriage study, is a professor at the University of Utah Department of Family and Consumer Studies. Wolfinger used the data to conclude that women with just one other sexual partner – other than their husband-to-be – were likely to end up comparing their husband to the past lover. This could potentially pose problems for the marital relationship, said Wolfinger, since having just one point of comparison for a spouse is not always fair to that person.

The results of the study suggest that sexual mores are changing in the United States. For instance, it has historically been thought that a woman’s likelihood of getting divorced increased as she had more sexual partners prior to tying the knot. However, premarital sex has become more and more common in recent years – with young adults having “lengthier sexual biographies” these days. At the same time, marriages between spouses with varied sexual histories now have a greater likelihood of success.

For further information, access the Yahoo.com article, “Sex with 2 Partners before Marriage Raises Divorce Risk.”

If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you are already going through the divorce process, it is imperative that you talk to a knowledgeable divorce attorney. The experienced New Jersey divorce lawyers at Davis & Mendelson can help you explore your legal options. Contact us anytime to schedule a free consultation.