A survey by Relationships Australia has revealed that people's sex lives improve along with their income - and that the magic number for satisfaction starts at about $80,000.
Only 44 per cent of people with a household income under $60,000 a year are sexually active, compared with 81 per cent of people with a household income of more than $80,000 a year.
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Money worries were a leading cause of relationship breakdown, said Relationships Australia executive director for development and practice, Samantha Aldridge.''When you look at households earning under $60,000, less than half of them are sexually active,'' she said. ''It would be difficult to manage a household on $60,000 without feeling some financial pressure. Financial stress has a huge impact on relationship satisfaction and on intimacy and, now we know also, sexual activity.''
The findings of the Relationships Indicators Survey 2011 showed that 60 per cent of Australians aged 18 and over are sexually active.
But it is not the tempting 20-somethings or the flirty 30s enjoying the most satisfying love lives. Instead, satisfaction levels are likely to be higher among those in their 40s and seniors, the survey of 1200 people found.
Only 65 per cent of respondents aged 25 to 34 are contented with their sexual activity.
The happiest age group are the 40- to 49-year-olds, with 74 per cent of whom are pleased with their passionate pursuits. But the 60- to 69-year-olds and the over 70s are not far behind - 72 per cent of respondents in both age groups reported that they are satisfied with their sex lives.
Ms Aldridge said people in their late 20s and early 30s are under a lot of pressure. ''That is the time people are either building a career or building a family or trying to do both,'' she said. ''We know that people are staying at university for longer, so they're not entering an active earning capacity until later in life. Some people in that age group are still living at home and that's going to put a dampener on sexual activity to some extent.
''That age group is less independent financially, and otherwise, than they have been historically and that is having a significant impact on their sex lives.''
But the rut does not last, with satisfaction rates improving significantly among respondents in their late 30s and 40s.
''Between 40 and 49 you have children who are becoming increasingly independent, you've probably returned to the workforce, you probably have a fairly solid career behind you, so your income is going to be in a higher bracket,'' Ms Aldridge said.
The national survey was conducted in February and March this year and showed an increase in the number of sexually active people aged 70 and over. A quarter of these people reported that they were sexually active, compared with 17 per cent in the Relationships Indicators Survey conducted in 2008.
Of those who were sexually active, 72 per cent reported being satisfied, compared with 67 per cent in 2008.
''There is more to it than Viagra,'' Ms Aldridge said.
''They are feeling more supported by family, friends and communities. They are feeling more optimistic. All of those things will contribute to a healthier sexual relationship.''
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/management/bigger-income-leads-to-better-sex-20110802-1i94z.html#ixzz1U840QSqS
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