What do you mean you don’t want children?! Study reveals the truth about women at work, home and in the bedroom

Hana, the UK’s no.1 mini pill available without prescription,[i] has commissioned research to uncover women’s behaviour and attitudes regarding sex, pleasure, and the decision to have a family. 

Alison Slingsby from Hana commented: “This research shows that women are feeling confident in themselves, they are embracing their sexual desires and are clear on their ambitions for the future. Contraception plays such an important part in their life choices, their sexual identity and freedoms. When we launched Hana, we wanted to give women choice to live their lives as they want, widening access and making life easier in a critical part of their health and wellbeing.”

Women are taking the reins when it comes to sexual pleasure

When asked how their attitude to sex has changed, 30% of women said they have become more vocal about what they enjoy and want in the bedroom.

Interestingly, although two thirds of women (67%) think porn sets unrealistic expectations of sex, some still use it to benefit their own sex lives.

21% of women believe their sex lives have improved because of porn, with 29% saying it has given them a new range of sexual techniques and activities.

TV shows and films are more lacking however, as almost two thirds of women (63%) believe these forms of entertainment misrepresent what sex is. Over half (52%) of women also agree that female pleasure is rarely portrayed.

The age of 21 proves to be the turning point for unfulfilling sexual experiences with this age being when most women (28%) say they have learned to not put up with bad sex.

By 22, women are most sexually assertive with 39% of 22-year-olds saying they enjoy sex more due to being more confident in themselves. 

A sexual double standard is still prevalent in 2022

A huge 69% of the women surveyed believe society is judgemental of women who have multiple sexual partners and nearly two thirds (63%) believe society is more accepting of men who enjoy sex.

6 out of 10 women (60%) also believe that society places a greater importance on men being satisfied during sex.

Although many feel sexually confident, 18–24-year-olds are more likely to feel sexually pressured and be slut-shamed. Sadly, 2 in 5 18–24-year-olds (41%) have felt obliged to have sex with someone when they’re not ready, with the similar number (33%) being slut-shamed for a sexual encounter.

Gen Z have babies on the brain

Although record numbers of women are reaching the age of 30 child-free[ii], surprisingly it is the 18–24-year-olds that have babies on the brain.

Earning lots of money and travel topped the list of ambitions for women overall (51% and 49% respectively) but it is the 18–24-year-olds who have babies firmly in their sights with over a half (57%) saying that growing or starting a family was an ambition for them. 

This age group also puts more value in child related benefits when considering a new job compared to those aged 25-45 years old. 76% of 18–24-year-olds say a good maternity package is important when accepting a new role and 72% say the same for having shared maternity and paternity leave.

Surprisingly, nearly half (47%) of 18–24-year-olds feel pressured to choose a career over having children and 52% worry that having a child will make them look non-committed at work.

Contraceptive confusion abound

As women embrace sexual pleasure, their method of contraception is more important than ever, especially as 29% of women worry that they will fall pregnant unexpectantly.

Hormonal pills are the most popular form of contraception with 28% of women taking a contraceptive pill of some kind. There is however little understanding about the different types, with 32% of these women admitting they cannot name those that they have tried.

15% rely on condoms, but 43% of women admit to being embarrassed to buy them. Over 2 in 5 women (44%) choose contraception based on not having to attend a doctor’s appointment and a third (32%) have been searching for the best contraceptive option for years.

Sexual and reproductive freedom is flourishing, with women taking control of their sex lives. With the launch of Hana last year, there is now a chance for contraception to keep up. 

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