Women still value thoughtfulnes over sex

LONDON - Today’s women too value thoughtfulness above sex in relationships, a survey said. Almost half the women listed emotional understanding and intimacy as most important in a relationship. Only two percent put sex first.

When asked for the most likely reason to end a relationship, 38 percent listed lack of emotional support as a deal-breaker. Again, two percent cited sex.

“Today’s young woman is a refreshing breed of modern traditionalists, holding out for what matters — in terms of independence and equality but embracing the infinitely human, age-old need for love and commitment,” the Daily Mail quoted psychologist Sally Brampton as saying.

“Eighty-five percent sensibly believe there’s no such thing as ‘perfect’ when it comes to relationships, but they’re a far more touchy-feely bunch than women 25 years ago, putting emotional understanding and intimacy at the top of the list of requirements,” she said.

The research by Elle magazine also showed that respondents felt more threatened by text flirting and online sex than person-to-person contact.

Brampton said: “What’s genuinely new and has made a huge difference to sex and relationships is the internet.”

But she added: “Even in a very modern context, today’s women are still traditionalists about what standards of behaviour they expect.”