FIVE THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GUYS

There's more to a guy than meets the eye. If you're wondering how guys feel about about relationships, sex, and love, ask them. We did and here's what they had to say:

  1. The majority of guys are okay with not having sex. More than half say they're relieved when a girl wants to wait, two-thirds say they could be happy in a relationship that doesn't include sex, and three out of four would rather wait to have sex with someone they love than lose their virginity as soon as possible. In fact, more guys would rather give up sex for a month than give up going online for a month.
  2. Sex won't keep him in a relationship. Three out of four guys say that sex won't make them stay in a relationship they don't want to be in. Four out of ten have had sex with someone when they knew it meant more to her than it did to him. One in four has had sex with someone and then not called, texted, or emailed afterward like they said they would. Sex isn't what makes a relationship serious--more guys say being exclusive, meeting her parents, or calling each other boyfriend/girlfriend is more serious than having sex.
  3. Guys are influenced by girlfriends, parents, and porn. In fact, guys say that girlfriends are most influential on their decisions about sex, but that parents also play a significant role. And porn ranks equally with sex education when guys were asked to rate their influences when it comes to sex. Of those guys who have had conversations with their parents about preventing pregnancy, two-thirds say it was helpful. Guys want to have real conversations about relationships and preventing pregnancy--and about sex.
  4. Even guys who act like they know it all can be dangerously misinformed. The vast majority of guys say they're not confused at all about preventing pregnancy--but one-third don't know that two condoms aren't better than one, 15% don't know that certain sexual positions don't eliminate the risk of pregnancy, and more than one in ten still don't know that a girl can pregnant the first time she has sex. Be sure the guys in your life are getting information about sex and protection from trusted sources.
  5. It takes two people to make a pregnancy but only one to prevent it. Girls need to speak up. Most guys will gladly wear a condom if asked and most will go with someone to get birth control if she wants him too. Talk about what precautions you are going to take in the heat of the moment before the moment arrives. Most guys say it would be both partners' responsibility if there were a pregnancy--but why wait until that point to share accountability?

For more on what guys are thinking, check out the results of our new survey and read That's What He Said: What Guys Think About Sex, Love, Contraception, and Relationships.