Sexuality in Long-Term Relationships

This chapter provides a broad overview of current research on sex in long-term relationships. First, I review descriptive research on sexual frequency, sexual satisfaction, sexual attitudes, sexual desire, and sexual dysfunction. I then review research that applies theoretical perspectives on emotion work and the performance of gender, age, and desire to the study of sex in long-term relationships. After reviewing the current literature, I examine methodological challenges and strategies for studying sex in long-term relationships. Finally, I discuss directions for future research on sex in long-term relationships, which include the need for more theoretically-informed studies, studies on gay and lesbian relationships, and studies that examine racial/ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity.