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A new study from Swansea University, published in Science Advances, has shed light on how much someone’s sexual history influences their attractiveness as a potential partner. Surveying more than 5,300 people across 11 countries, researchers found that body count still plays a role in dating decisions, but the details are more complex than many assume.
What Did the Study Reveal About Body Count?
The research confirmed that people generally prefer partners with fewer sexual partners. However, it is not only about the number; the timeline of those experiences matters. Participants responded more positively when a sexual history showed fewer new partners as the person grew older, suggesting they were transitioning from a hookup phase into long-term relationship readiness.
Lead researcher Andrew Thomas explained why this matters: “We use someone’s sexual past as a way of detecting potential red flags like STIs, infidelity, ex-drama, or a general lack of relationship-readiness.” This suggests that people are less focused on judging the past itself and more concerned about what it signals for future stability.
How Does Sexual History Influence Dating Preferences?
Researchers created visual timelines with an identical number of partners but arranged them differently over time. The most favorable patterns showed individuals slowing down and seeking more stability as they aged. This resonates with a natural shift in priorities, as many people begin valuing long-term commitment over casual connections.
It also highlights a practical side to dating preferences. People, consciously or not, look for signals of emotional and physical safety, from the risk of infidelity to concerns about STIs.
Is There Still a Double Standard Between Men and Women?
The study also addressed one of the most common perceptions about body count: that women are judged more harshly than men. Surprisingly, across the surveyed countries, both men and women faced similar judgments regarding their sexual histories. The long-standing cultural double standard exists in some places, but the research suggests it is not as widespread globally as many assume.
For those who still experience body count stigma, the findings offer reassurance: you may be encountering a social exception rather than a universal rule.
By Yockshard Enyendi
