14.02.2019
Love and sex through the eyes of Ukrainians
- According to the results of a study conducted by Rating Group, 67% of Ukrainians stated that they have a permanent sexual partner. Another 4% have a non-permanent partner. Nineteen percent said that they currently do not have a partner but had sexual partners previously. Only 3% stated that they do not have a partner and have never had one before, while 7% refused to answer the question.
- Almost 80% of respondents agreed with the statement that sex is a very important part of a person’s life (10% disagreed). Those who are in registered or unregistered marriages were more inclined to support this statement.
- Two thirds believe that sexual relations before marriage are normal, while every fifth respondent holds the opposite view. This position was more often supported by younger respondents and those who are in unregistered relationships or are unmarried.
- Forty-five percent believe that sex is more important for men than for women, while 34% hold the opposite view. Supporters of this opinion are more common among women and among respondents of middle and older age.
- Forty-one percent agreed with the statement that fulfilling the “marital duty in bed” is obligatory for a man, while nearly the same share disagreed. Support for this view is somewhat higher among men.
- Thirty percent of respondents agree with the statement that sex can be a service that is sold for money, while 55% disagree. Men and respondents of younger and middle age agree with this statement more often.
- Twenty-four percent agree with the opinion that a woman should not show sexual initiative, while 57% disagree. Among those who support this view there are relatively more men, younger respondents, and those in unregistered marriages.
- Only 19% agree that a woman who is married is obliged to have sex with her husband even if she does not want to, while 67% disagree. Support for this statement is somewhat higher among the oldest respondents.
- Only 16% agreed with the opinion that it is normal to have permanent sexual relations with more than one person at the same time, while 70% disagreed. There are somewhat more opponents of this view among women and younger respondents.
- Sixty percent of respondents do not feel discomfort or shame when talking about sex with their husband, wife, or permanent sexual partner. Only 6% feel very ashamed. Thirty-five percent do not feel any shame when talking about sex with friends or acquaintances, while 14% feel very ashamed. Twenty-one percent stated that they do not feel shame when talking about sex with strangers, although almost one third feel very ashamed. Younger respondents and men feel less discomfort when talking about sex.
- Half of respondents plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day. At the same time, 41% do not plan to celebrate it, and 3% do not know this holiday. The highest share of those who plan to celebrate is in the South (59%), while in other regions it is about half. Men, younger respondents, and unregistered couples are more likely to plan celebrations.
- For 40% of respondents, Valentine’s Day is a day of all lovers. Twenty-seven percent said it is an ordinary day, for 19% it is an occasion to congratulate close people. Only 8% consider it a holiday that is not understandable within the traditions and culture of Ukraine. Supporters of this holiday are more common in the southern macro-region, among youth, men, and those in unregistered marital relationships. For one third of older respondents, this holiday is just an ordinary day.
- Almost half of respondents plan to give gifts on Valentine’s Day, while 45% do not have such intentions. In the South, East, and Centre, about half of respondents plan to give gifts, while in the West this share is 43%. Higher intentions are observed among men, younger respondents, and unregistered couples.
Methodology
- Audience: residents of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender, region, and settlement type.
- Total sample: 2000 respondents.
- Personal formalized interview (face-to-face).
- The margin of error does not exceed 2.2%.
- Fieldwork dates: 23 January – 3 February, 2019
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