THE STUDY ON SEXUAL BEHAVIORS OF FRENCH THROUGH THREE NATIONAL SURVEYS

Abstract

Three national surveys on the sexual behavior of French in 1970, 1992, 2006 by
quantitative methods (questionnaire) provided statistics on the sex life of the inhabitants to
meet the needs of society and science. By analyzing secondary sources, the article clarifies the
following contents. The survey results are used to develop health policies to prevent sexually
transmitted diseases, particularly the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The survey results also indicated
the evolution of sexual behavior in society and the influencing factors. These three surveys
have different contexts, from “contracepted sexuality” in 1970 to “risking sexuality” in 1992,
and sexuality depending on living conditions, power relations between men and women in
2006. The results show the similarity and difference between men and women in term of
sexual conception and practice. The gap between men and women gradually narrows over
time and generations (age at first intercourse, number of sexual partners, density of sexual
activity, average duration of sexual intercourse). However, men and women still maintain a
persistent gap of differences, especially in sexual satisfaction for the partner and the conception
of sexual partners.