Women and Pregnancy | 08/13/2009 9:20 am

Women Now Having Babies Later in Life, Are More Choosy About One-Night Stands

Don’t think that what you see in the tabloids is reality: women are waiting several years longer to have babies than they were a few decades ago.

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Despite young celebrity moms becoming spokespeople for teen pregnancy and having the media report on their every little move, a new study reveals that statistically speaking, women are becoming mothers later in life than ever before.

New research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the average age of first-time moms has increased by 3.6 years over the last three decades, from age 21.4 in 1970 to age 25 in 2006. Women in Washington, DC, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and New Jersey had the highest increase in age before having their first baby — anywhere from 4.8 to 5.5 years.

Meanwhile, another study shows women are definitely pickier than men when it comes to who they decide to have casual sex with. Perhaps this is a "no duh" idea for many of us, but a study in the journal Human Nature says women say one-night stands have to be exceptionally attractive to convince them to take them home, whereas men seem to not be as discerning for such short-lived flings.

"While men are not entirely insensitive to their requestor’s attractiveness, women have higher standards and are more likely to engage in casual sex with an exceptionally attractive man than with a less attractive man," the study’s authors said.

12 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

So,the study concludes that a woman is more likely to have casual sex with an attractive man rather than a man who is " less attractive" ( a troll). And this is breaking news? Who the heck funded this study?

By Maggie W on 08/13/2009 9:50 am

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"…whereas men seem to not be as discerning for such short-lived flings. " I don’t think we needed a study in the journal Human Nature to tell us that!

By DeBúrca obj on 08/13/2009 9:51 am

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Oh my De that is sooo true. lol

By F P on 08/13/2009 10:29 am

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One night stands are still talked about based on the attractiveness of the individual. What about STDs, what about AIDS. They dont care what you look like, they are opportunistic infectors. One would hope a little more care would be taken before engaging is a one nighter just based on looks.

By Judy K. on 08/13/2009 12:26 pm

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Ah, but you can get an STD from a LTR as well. In fact, since most people use barrier protection with a one night stand, they are generally less likely to contract an STD than they are when they practice serial monogamy and forgo the barrier method because, "We’re in llloooovvvveee!".

By R.J.B. Reed on 08/13/2009 1:57 pm

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RJB Took me a minute to interpret LTR because the first thing I thought of was a letter, ha. Long term relationship, got it. I seem to get the point, it just takes me longer :-) Just joined facebook and have no idea what is going on. That should be a lot more fun than one night stands that would scare me more than any fun I might get out of it. But that is just me.

By Judy K. on 08/13/2009 3:14 pm

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I taught school for 15 years and its true women are definately waiting to have children. It’s a positive ( more settled) and a negative I want to see these parents in their 60’s at high school graduation.

I went out to a club last weekend with a single friend and I’m glad I’m married. She’s recently divorced and its been years since I’ve gone out like that. Its a hot mess! If anything happens with my husband I’m hanging out with our Labrador’s!

By Bobbie R. on 08/13/2009 10:25 pm

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Bobbie R…. taught… school?

By J Patterson on 08/13/2009 11:29 pm

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What’s your point?

By Bobbie R. on 08/13/2009 11:38 pm

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Attractive or unattractive who gives a damn? I’m concerned some unsuspecting male or female will meet some crazy and acquire an STD, HIV, AIDS or worse killed.

Who knows whose a predator ? Looks and a charming conversation mean absolutely nothing!…. It’s insanity!….What ever happened to morals?

There are no guarantees even in a long term relationship one should use ever precaution.

I’m all for mature persons having children within reason. There should definitely be a cut off point. I find nothing wonderful about a someone in their 60’s having a baby, this includes men. There’re also health issues to consider for the child.

By L. C. on 08/14/2009 11:30 am

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i wonder if anyone will ever do a study or article on women who chose not to have children.

By aud b on 08/14/2009 11:17 pm

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Wow. I don’t know if I could survive in the current market. I have many single women friends and my hat is off to them. Most have taken themselves "off the market". Many have children and never remarried.

By starry Nite on 08/15/2009 11:45 pm