We're still at it!

The "Sexual Revolution" generation is still at it.

Nearly 85 percent of you say sex is important, very important or extremely important to you, according to the first annual Eons Sex and Intimacy Survey.

About the same number of you say you feel close to your partner, and 41 percent believe you will be even closer five years from now.

"The Eons Sex & Intimacy Survey is shattering myths about the health, sex drive and prowess of this generation," says Eons founder and CEO Jeff Taylor. "They're not settling into a sexual rut. They're experimenting and celebrating their health and close relationships."

More than 4,000 people have taken the survey since it launched Feb. 7th. We are surveying visitors to our Web site about their health, marital status, home life and sexual activity, and their attitudes about intimacy, romance, fantasies and lovemaking.

Among the 50-64 age group that represented most respondents -- 53 percent male and 47 percent female - the survey reveals a generation that is exploding myths about the effects of age on sexual performance, the importance of intimacy and romance to their overall sex lives and their robust appetite for sex.

''Mythbusters" about Sex after 50

Among the "mythbusters" revealed by the survey:

• Boomers are having sex with mythbusting frequency: 59 percent are having sex at least once a week.
• Boomers are adventurous and open to new sexual experiences: 86 percent would be open to trying something new.
• Boomers are emotionally closer now to their partners than they have ever been, and expect to be closer still as they get older: 57 percent responded that they feel very close.
• Couples understand the importance of fun time (outside the bedroom) as key to satisfying, fully rounded relationships: 84 percent spend time together as a couple having fun.
• Menopause does little to slow down boomer sexual activity: only 15 percent say menopause has affected their sex life "a lot."
• After sex, most boomers want to keep the intimacy growing: 69 percent like to cuddle and talk after sex.
• Single boomers are increasingly turning to the Web to meet new people: 20 percent cite the Internet as the best way to meet someone. But most (32 percent) still prefer an introduction from a friend.




Sex and the single gal and guy




"You can see the legacy of the '60s generation in today's boomers," said Taylor. "According to our survey, 50-plus singles are making sex a part of their relationships very soon, with 49 percent willing to have sex on or before the third date. And, as you'd expect from children of the 'Free Sex' era, they've had plenty of experience, with 47 percent telling us they've had more than 10 sexual partners in their lives."

Dr. Robert Butler, president and CEO of the International Longevity Center-USA and co-author of The New Love and Sex After 60 (Ballantine Books, 2002), says the public should be better educated on the importance of sexuality for health, quality of life and the human experience.

"As we live longer and more healthily, we are capable of more years of sexual and intimate expression," Dr. Butler said. "We need to revolutionize our thinking about what it means to be older. It is time we have a frank discussion of sexual preferences or problems and promote sexual self-awareness in later life. The Eons Sex & Intimacy Survey is a valuable contribution to this important dialog."




Romance Basics




The Eons Sex & Intimacy Survey, which consists of 46 questions, yielded a general consensus about the elements necessary for greater intimacy, which we call the Top 5 Romance Basics.

1. Talk with and express your appreciation for your partner: Intimacy is supercharged by time spent conversing and sharing your feelings.
2. Take better care of your body: Your partner wants you healthy and sexy.
3. Have fun as a couple and laugh together: Non-sexual play and togetherness is a major inspiration for sexual intimacy.
4. Relive your first moments together: While many boomers feel closer to their partners now than ever, most say the sex was best in the early years, and that kind of magic is worth "going back" for.
5. Show more non-sexual affection: It's by far the best way to ensure some heat between the sheets.




Getting More After 50




The survey also produced some tips for increasing the frequency of sex in couples over 50. Here are the Top 5 Tips for Getting More After 50.




1. Get the kids out of the house: Couples who live alone say they have fewer interruptions.
2. Rethink the size of your bed: Couples who sleep in king-size beds have sex slightly more often than those in queen-size beds (for whatever reason!).
3. Try sleeping naked: It sends the message loud and clear, "Let's have fun!"
4. Suggest a new sexual position or place to have sex: Adding adventure adds spice to your play time.
5. Cuddle before and after sex: It's the best way to warm up and cool down.


"We found that people over 50 don't mind talking about their sexual attitudes with their spouses and partners," added Taylor. "We asked a very interesting question in our survey, 'How many of your answers to this survey would you be willing to share with your partner?' We were pleased to find that 80 percent of respondents would discuss most of their answers. This generation grew up talking about sex, and they're still at it."

The Eons Sex & Intimacy Survey can be taken here.

Join the discussion: What do you think?