The Surprising Link Between Education and Sexual Enjoyment

Here's something your guidance counselor never mentioned: education doesn't just open doors to better careers—it apparently opens doors in the bedroom too.

Multiple studies have found a striking correlation between women's educational attainment and their enjoyment of oral sex. The more education a woman has, the more likely she is to report enjoying both giving and receiving.

The Numbers Don't Lie

The landmark National Health and Social Life Survey, conducted by University of Chicago researchers in 1994, first documented this pattern. Women who attended college were significantly more likely to find oral sex appealing compared to those who didn't finish high school.

This wasn't a small difference. The gap was substantial enough that researchers took notice and subsequent studies have confirmed the pattern holds across different populations and time periods.

Why Education Matters in the Bedroom

Researchers have proposed several explanations for this connection:

• Sexual knowledge: Higher education correlates with greater access to accurate sexual health information
• Communication skills: More education often means better ability to communicate preferences with partners
• Reduced stigma: Education tends to correlate with more progressive attitudes about sexuality
• Partner selection: Educational environments may influence the types of relationships people form

It's worth noting that this isn't about intelligence—it's about exposure. College environments tend to provide more comprehensive sexual education, more open discussions about sexuality, and social circles where sexual experimentation is less stigmatized.

The Broader Pattern

This finding fits into a larger pattern researchers have documented. Education level correlates with numerous aspects of sexual behavior and satisfaction. More educated individuals tend to report higher overall sexual satisfaction, more varied sexual repertoires, and better communication with partners about their needs.

The relationship works both ways, too. Partners of more educated individuals also report higher satisfaction levels, suggesting that the communication and openness benefits extend to both people in a relationship.

What This Actually Means

Before anyone rushes to enroll in graduate school for the bedroom benefits, it's important to understand what this research doesn't say. Education isn't causing enjoyment directly—it's creating conditions where people feel more comfortable exploring and communicating.

The real lesson here might be about the value of sexual education and open communication rather than formal schooling itself. When people have accurate information, feel empowered to discuss their preferences, and aren't burdened by shame or stigma, they tend to have more satisfying intimate lives.

So while a diploma won't guarantee a better love life, the confidence, knowledge, and communication skills that often come with education just might.