A study of approximately 400,000 UK and Australian adults, mostly middle-aged and older, reveals that about 1% of the population goes through life without ever having experienced any form of sexual intercourse. The study found sexlessness is associated with a range of genetic, environmental, physical and mental factors – but much still remains unclear. Among the strongest correlations with this outcome are high educational attainment, wearing glasses as a child, social isolation, nervousness, and abstention from alcohol and smoking. Religiosity is associated with sexlessness only for women, physical weakness only for men. Unsurprisingly, sexless individuals report lower life satisfaction as adults, fewer friend and family visits, and less telephone use. However, sexlessness is not necessarily the same as asexuality, and may to some extent be genetic.
Childhood “Nerds” Likely to be Lifelong Virgins?
