Survey Reveals Surprising Sex Attitudes

Oct. 20, 2004 — -- There are some questions about sex that we have all wondered about, but have never dared to ask.

Like, who's doing what and where? How many Americans have had sex outdoors, at work, in a threesome? Who's sharing their fantasies or watching erotic videos? How much do men and women think about and enjoy sex?

However, "Primetime Live," working in conjunction with the ABC News Polling Unit, now has the answers -- after completing one of the most extensive sex surveys in the last 50 years.

ABC News interviewed a random sample of people from across the country to establish an accurate, detailed picture of sex attitudes and behavior in America today.

See more about the survey during a live, hourlong Primetime Live event on Thursday, Oct. 21 (10-11 p.m. ET).

One of the survey's key findings is that satisfaction with sex matters. The results show that activities such as discussing fantasies with a partner contribute to an exciting sex life, and that an exciting sex life contributes to sexual satisfaction, which in turn contributes to a satisfying marriage. And the poll reveals what many people are doing to keep the spark alive in their relationships.

Forty-two percent of Americans describe themselves as sexually "adventurous," and many of those who say they are "traditional" wish they or their partners were more adventurous in bed. In fact, this groundbreaking survey finds a range of eye-popping sexual activities, fantasies and attitudes in this country, confirming some conventional wisdom, exploding some myths and treading where few scientific surveys have gone before.

The wide-ranging survey yields fascinating insights into many other areas, including: how often people of various age groups are having sex; how many sexual partners the average American has had; the sexual attitudes of religious Americans; and intriguing information about the ultimate sexual topic -- the orgasm.

The ABC News Polling Unit surveyed a random sample of 1,501 American adults aged 18 and older by telephone. Of those surveyed, 97 percent have ever had sex; 3 percent have never had sex. Five percent identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual.