Young Couples Don’t Know if They’re Exclusive

Posted by BCU Girl on Jan 21, 2011 in Dating & Sex | 0 comments

Uh ohhh, AWK-WAAARD.

According to an article at LiveScience, 40% of young adults in relationships are unsure as to whether or not the relationship is exclusive. An Oregon State University poll asked 434 couples, some married and some not, about whether or not the relationship was monogamous. Jocelyn Warren, the study researcher, noted that almost half the couples had differing opinions as to whether or not the relationship was exclusive or not, and even among those who agreed it was exclusive, 30% had cheated.

Aside from the threat of an emotional volcanic eruption from the person who felt the relationship was exclusive, there is the issue of STDs and unplanned pregnancies, which spurred Dr. Warren to suggest couples use condoms even if they believe the relationship is exclusive. Now, I know about 170% of guys would make THIS FACE if that was even requested in a long-term relationship, but hey, you gotta think about the health of your junk!

OR, of course, you could nix the whole long term relationship thing in the bud and enjoy being single for a while. Then, using condoms with hookups and booty calls is necessary anyway! As fellow researcher Marie Harvey aptly stated, whether or not couples know it, many of their relationship statuses are still “It’s complicated.” So don’t let your, ahem, nether regions, become collateral damage, and BE SAFE!