http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4488254.stm
Dr Helen Ward, lead author of the report, points to growing divorce rates, sex tourism like stag holidays and the increasing availability of commercial sex through such means as the internet.
She sees an increased commercialisation of sex in the media, such as "lad mags".
Sex psychologist Dr Lesley Perman-Kerr, who was not involved with the report, acknowledges sex is shedding its taboo and wonders if men are more willing to own up.
"Maybe men are just more open about it. Human beings don't tend to change that much and there's always been prostitutes and always been affairs."
While men have prostitutes to express themselves with, this is not so available for women so some use casual relationships instead, she says.
And while stag weekends and divorce rates are probably "irrelevant influences", greater honesty among respondents must be considered. Work pressures too could be a factor.
I would like to see the possibility of people expressing themselves without resorting to paid sex
"People are more overloaded with work and feel they don't have time to form relationships but still want to have sex. Money isn't the object but the desire to form a relationship with someone is not there. And the internet has made it more available."
Dr Helen Ward, lead author of the report, points to growing divorce rates, sex tourism like stag holidays and the increasing availability of commercial sex through such means as the internet.
She sees an increased commercialisation of sex in the media, such as "lad mags".
Sex psychologist Dr Lesley Perman-Kerr, who was not involved with the report, acknowledges sex is shedding its taboo and wonders if men are more willing to own up.
"Maybe men are just more open about it. Human beings don't tend to change that much and there's always been prostitutes and always been affairs."
While men have prostitutes to express themselves with, this is not so available for women so some use casual relationships instead, she says.
And while stag weekends and divorce rates are probably "irrelevant influences", greater honesty among respondents must be considered. Work pressures too could be a factor.
I would like to see the possibility of people expressing themselves without resorting to paid sex
"People are more overloaded with work and feel they don't have time to form relationships but still want to have sex. Money isn't the object but the desire to form a relationship with someone is not there. And the internet has made it more available."
