British are world’s most promiscuous people

London, Dec 02: British men and women are the world`s most promiscuous people, leaving their American cousins far behind, according to a study. Germans come next with the Dutch, Czechs, Australians, Americans and French ranking third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in the list of the most promiscuous people, according to a study by Bradley University (BU) in Illinois, US.

Researchers linked increasing incidence of promiscuity in Britain with the growth of liberal attitudes to sex. Both men and women in specific age groups and times tend to be more tolerant in such matters. The study surveyed more than 14,000 people in 48 countries, who were given a questionnaire asking about the numbers of sexual partners and one-night stands they had, how many they wanted over the next five years and how receptive they were to the prospect of casual sex. "Historically we have repressed women`s short-term mating and there are all sorts of double standards out there where men`s short-term mating was sort of acceptable but women`s was not," according to David Schmitt, professor of psychology at BU, who conducted the research. Schmitt also found that females at their most fertile are even more willing than males to pursue one-night stands, according to a report in the latest issue of New Scientist. Men had the most partners and wanted more when in their twenties, while for women, this desire peaked in their thirties. IANS