The Irish Times has carried out a sex survey, asking readers to share what is going on behind closed bedroom doors. This hasn’t been a prurient exercise, but rather one of a team of editors and data analysts choosing to take seriously the significance of sexuality in psychological well-being. More than 12,000 readers aged 17-65 responded.
Discussion around sexuality in Ireland has traditionally been framed in terms of morality and ethics. Contraception, divorce, abortion and marriage equality have occupied the public space regarding sex for many generations, especially in relation to Catholic church doctrine. As the marriage equality referendum approving same sex marriage has shown, a communal desire for personal fulfilment and self-expression around sexuality has become among 2015 Irish society’s givens for psychological health.
Over the past 30 years, The Irish Times through thousands of articles around psychology and sexuality has been a part of a growing communication in this area. Today, thanks to digital media, our readers have been able to share with us directly their experiences of sexuality. When we put out the call for our readers to tell us about what was important to them, more than 12,000 answered.
Our survey took place after the marriage equality referendum. Among the significant results was that 11 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men were homosexual or bisexual. Contrast this to the Family Values survey conducted by The Irish Times Ipsos/MRBI earlier this year. In that survey, 3 per cent of respondents were homosexual, lesbian or bisexual.
This is, according to one of our psychosexual therapist advisors, Teresa Bergin, possibly a sign that following the referendum people are more willing to be honest about their sexual orientation.
The survey questions were compiled after consultation with psychologists about the issues they were seeing in their therapy sessions. The questions were also asked in a neutral manner to glean the reality of respondents’ experience, rather than seeking particular answers. The fact that more than 12,000 readers responded shows the interest in this topic.
Why is it important to talk about sex? We got an impressive response from our readers in 99 countries, and while it is essential to realise that this is a self-selecting group, in the absence of any other survey that values sexuality, it is a start.
As a starting point for conversation around the enjoyment of sexuality, rather than simply moral and ethical discussions around the issue, the Irish Times Sex Survey acknowledges that importance of the topic to relationships and mental health.