ABSTRACT
Dating couples do not always agree on how sexually intimate they should be. Men, when compared to women, typically want greater sexual involvement with fewer dates (Cohen & Shetland, 1996; Knox & Wilson, 1981). Many times, women, in contrast, make sexual intimacy contingent on increases in emotional intimacy. As highlighted in the previous chapter, this discrepancy in sexual wishes translates into dating couples having to negotiate an acceptable level of sexual involvement. Characteristically, these disagreements happen between romantically interested partners who have dated for a while and have engaged in prior mutually consented-to sexual behaviors (Byers & Lewis, 1988). Strife between couples often focuses on whether to engage in sexual intercourse.
