Profile analysis as a method of comparing intergenerational differences in sexual behavior.

Profile analysis can be used in sex research as a statistical procedure to assess the degree of similarity between various samples on different parameters of sexual behavior. Data are presented to analyze intergenerational changes comparing three independent samples including a time interval of approximately four decades. Profile analysis can differentiate the intergenerational trend. Results show (i) a clear trend of male-female profile-convergence over time; (ii) intergenerational changes in males are few with male sexual behavior seemingly little influenced by social changes; (iii) females show large intergenerational differences. These asymmetric trends demonstrate that the sexual changes within the last four decades are a one-sided process of females liberating from the "behavioral double standard."