This Guy Got an Actual PhD in Threesomes. Here Are 5 Things He Learned | Men's Health Magazine Australia

This Guy Got an Actual PhD in Threesomes. Here Are 5 Things He Learned

British sociologist Ryan Scoats is bringing new meaning to the old saying “choose a job you love.”

Scoats, who currently works as a researcher at Birmingham City University, found both academic and internet stardom when it came to light that he gained his PhD from the University of Winchester for studying threesomes and sexual trends in young people. He published his findings in Sage Journals with a report appropriately titled “I Don’t Mind Watching Him Cum.”

Sure, his PhD subject matter may sound more like a pickup line than an actual area of research—“Hey baby, I got a PhD in threesomes, why don’t you come check out my…peer reviewed study?”—but Scoats’ work is important in terms of sexual health and society’s long-held beliefs on homosexuality. Plus, it sheds light on some sex trends and statistics you might not know about.

LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THREESOMES

According to Scoats’ findings, a third of male students he surveyed said they had a threesome by their second year of study. Six had had more than one. 

MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING FFM THREESOMES THAN MMF

According to the Daily Mail, of the 10 men who said they had a threesome, seven claimed they had been in at least one female-female-male (FFM) threesome. Five of the men revealed they had been in at least one male-male-female (MMF) threesome. Two of the 10 men said they had experienced both.

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MEN ARE BECOMING MORE OPEN TO MMF THREESOMES

“In the past it would have been more stigmatized for men to have MMF threesomes,” Scoats told Broadly. He noted that among the albeit small sample size of men he interviewed, “they did seem comfortable telling at least their friends that they’d had an MMF threesome. I think because of the reduction of homophobia in general within society, this allows men to have these kinds of threesomes with no fear about what others are going to think of them for it.”

Scoats pointed out that his sample was limited to mostly white male college students. However, he did point to other research that yielded similar findings among men of differing socioeconomic backgrounds.

IN MMF THREESOMES, MEN PREFER IT WHEN THE OTHER GUY’S A FRIEND

“Men are more likely to have an MMF threesome if it’s with someone that they know well, with someone that’s a good friend,” Scoats told Broadly. “If it’s not a good friend, it reduces the chances of that happening.”

Take, for example, one of Scoats’ subjects named Brent, who said, “You get to ‘high five’ your mate over her back and that’s about it really.” Another subject, Matthew, added, “It was quite a funny, a good experience. We both had a bit of banter between us. It was quite fun. It was quite enjoyable.”

RELATED: 12 Couples Were Asked “Would You Ever Have A Threesome?” Here’s What They Said

WOMEN ARE STILL RELUCTANT TO HAVE MMF THREESOMES

While men appear to be more open to the idea of MMF threesomes, Scoats found in a separate study that women remain reluctant to join in for a number of reasons.

“Women are generally more reluctant to engage in MMF threesomes than men, maybe because they find it intimidating or objectifying,” Scoats told the Daily Mail. The fix? Ensuring the men are willing to sexually engage with one another during the ménage à trois.

“When it’s suggested the males will be interacting sexually, for some women, this can be anxiety-reducing because they appear less like an object,” Scoats added. 

Whatever your situation, arrangement, or preference, it’s really all about letting go of societal stigma, pressure and preconceived notions, according to Scoats. Just make sure to have an open conversation with your menage-mates about who is comfortable with putting what where, and how you’ll all engage safely.

As Scoats put it, “Threesome sex is just like any other sex.”

This article originally appeared on Menshealth.com

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