A recent study from the University of Iowa regarding hook ups and the longevity of relationships led me to the conclusion that perhaps the researchers at the University of Iowa have too much time on their hands. The researchers surveyed 642 heterosexual adults from the greater Chicago area about their sexual histories and the quality of their relationships.

The results of the study were pretty ambivalent- the researchers concluded that relationships that started off more slowly in the sexual department had a slightly higher likelihood of success than others. However, the researchers also concluded that hook ups can also lead to satisfying relationships. The determining factor is often whether or not those who participated in hook ups had the expectations of a relationship or not. If the person was open to a relationship, but not expecting one, the likelihood of a successful relationship was increased, but probably not exponentially.

Do a survey of your friends and you might find the same results--how many of your friends actually started their relationships off with what they thought would be a one-night stand? Probably some-almost everyone knows someone who claims to have met their husband while they were drunk in a bar, but how often does that really happen?

As I stated earlier, Dr. Paik, who ran the study, also concluded that those who waited to have sex had a slightly better chance of establishing a better relationship- unfortunately, he wasn't all that specific in how long a gal should wait to have sex to improve the chances for a relationship. Waiting three days for actual penetration can seem like an eternity to some people I know, while others can hold out for quite a while longer.

So, what does this all mean for you, the single woman? Should you trust that the 642 heterosexual adults from the Chicago area are representative of the entire nation as a whole and that you should have more casual sex in the secret hope that you will eventually find a satisfying long-term-relationship? If you are dating, should you wait a while longer to have sex with the guy just in case it improves the quality of the relationship at a later date? Or should you ignore the survey altogether and maintain the status quo, whatever that may be?

I think it's best to decide whether or not to have sex on a case-by-case basis which considers whether or not your emotions are fragile at the time, whether or not you have your purse loaded with a secret stash of condoms or not, and most importantly, whether  you really like the guy in question. Remember that there are a lot of assholes out there like this one and it's probably not worth the effort to date or sleep with any of them when there are plenty of nice guys out there.