Happy K-Day! Celebrating the History of Women’s Sexuality Research

Sixty-nine years ago this week (August 20, 1953), the media first reported on some of the major findings from Alfred Kinsey’s classic book Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. This book was the first of its kind to explore women’s sexual attitudes and behaviors from a scientific standpoint.

Kinsey’s book sent shockwaves around the world and was labeled by many as “obscene” due to the prevailing views on sex at the time. Today, though, we look back on Kinsey’s work as being among the most important publications on human sexuality ever. Kinsey’s research was groundbreaking in many ways, but especially because it debunked many myths and misconceptions surrounding women’s sexuality.

Kinsey found that the women he surveyed were more sexual than most people at the time assumed. For example, many of them were masturbating, having sex outside of marriage, and engaging in same-sex behaviors.

Thanks to Kinsey’s willingness to publish his work even in the face of major controversy, female sexuality—and the study of sex more broadly—eventually came to be seen as a worthwhile area of scientific inquiry. Of course, sex research in general continues to be controversial to this day. However, its value and importance to society are increasingly recognized.

To honor this important milestone in the history of sex research (or “K-Day,” as some have nicknamed it), below are links to a few of the many interesting studies on women’s sexuality that have emerged in recent few years precisely because Kinsey and his team of research associates paved the way.

Also, since we’re celebrating Kinsey’s work, it’s worth pointing out that 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the Kinsey Institute’s founding. You are invited to join in the celebration! Follow visit kinseyinstitute.org or follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events.

• Nocturnal Orgasms Aren’t Just For Men–Women Have Them Too

• Women’s Most and Least Common Reasons for Having Sex

• Women’s Preferred “Shapes” and Styles of Genital Touch (Infographic)

• Infographic: Women’s Experiences With Orgasm During Vaginal Intercourse

• What Makes Women More Likely To Orgasm During A Hookup?

• 10 Surprising Facts About The Vagina

• The G-Spot Isn’t What You Think It Is

• Women Who Use Marijuana Before Sex Report Better Orgasms

• Women Who Buy Sex: Why They Do It, And What Their Experiences Are Like

• Older Women Who Date Younger Men Are More Satisfied

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Image Credit: Justin Lehmiller