A global study involving over 5,000 participants across 11 countries reveals that people's willingness to commit to a long-term relationship is influenced not only by the number of a potential partner's past sexual partners but also by the timing of those encounters. The research, published in Scientific Reports, found that people were more accepting of individuals with many past partners if their sexual activity had decreased over time. This suggests a shift towards more committed relationships, challenging the notion of harsh judgment towards those with sexually adventurous pasts. The study also found minimal evidence of a sexual double standard between men and women.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.