The Harvard Independent’s Annual Sex Survey Reveals Shifts in Campus Attitudes Toward Intimacy and Identity

Released every year to demystify intimate topics, the Independent’s 2025 Sex Survey revealed a campus increasingly nuanced in its views regarding relationships, gender, and sexuality. With 545 responses across all four undergraduate years, this year’s results peel back the curtain on norms surrounding dating, sex, and self-expression.

Respondent Demographics

Survey engagement was balanced across all four grades, with 28.6% being from the Class of 2029, 30.7% from the Class of 2028, 20.6% from the Class of 2027, and 20.2% from the Class of 2026. 49% respondents were 17-19, 49% respondents were 20-22, and 2.1% were 23 or older.

With respect to gender identity, 58.9% of all respondents were female, 39.9% male, 0.9% non-binary, and 0.3% gender queer or preferred not to disclose. Out of all respondents, 1.9% were transgender. Among these individuals, 64.4% identified as straight, 23.6% as bisexual, 8% as gay or lesbian, and 2.3% as pansexual. The last 1.7% entered other sexualities or preferred not to respond.

When asked to describe their religious views, the majority 49.5% reported being not very religious, 41.9% said they were religiously moderate, and 8.5 disclosed being very religious.

Racially, 62.2% of all survey takers were white, 28.2% Asian, 12.5% Black or African American, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 2% American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The remaining 1.4% specified their race as Middle Eastern or Arab. 

Relationships and Hook-Up Culture

Harvard’s hookup culture remains alive and well, but just like the rest of Gen Z, undergraduates also reflect the increasing trend of abstinence. Among respondents, 26.5% reported that they are virgins, while the average age for someone to lose their virginity was 18. When asked whether they had ever lied about their virginity, 10.4% of respondents lied that they were a virgin, 9.2% had said they weren’t a virgin, and 17% said they “keep it vague.”

On average, students reported having had 2 sexual partners—yet sentiment on this topic varied.

“We all should be fucking more,” one respondent wrote. Alternatively, another respondent commented: “Don’t have sex before marriage, yall [sic] will go to hell.” 

Students reported finding hookups primarily through parties, dating apps, and random interactions. However, 24% use dating apps such as Hinge, Tinder, and Grindr. “I hooked up with a girl off Sidechat,” one student wrote.

Hookups continue to happen across a range of settings. From dorm rooms to the Stacks, 62% of respondents shared they had sex with their roommates next door, and 12% claimed to have had sex in a public bathroom. The “craziest” places people have had sex include: 23 responses for Widener, 18 reported classrooms, 6 reported Lamont, and 2 shared the dining hall. 

Attraction and Preferences 

Beyond frequency and experience, the Independent explored what students find most desirable in a partner.

When asked which groups they find more attractive than the general campus population, 52.8% cited athletes as more desirable—others noted more specific preferences. “People who like breaking and entering/getting onto rooftops,” one student wrote. “I think people are attractive if they’re nice,” another commented. “Academic weapons,” a third respondent said. 

Among surveyed students with penises, the average reported size was 6.005 inches. 10.5% of respondents said they preferred greater girth, 17.5% preferred lengthier penises, and 36.3% preferred both. 35.7% did not care about the two. 

Across respondents with breasts, the average reported cup size was between B and C cups. When asked about cup size preferences, 59.5% of surveyed students said they had no preferences, 25.1% preferred a C cup or more, and 15.5% preferred a B cup or less. Regarding pubic hair, 42.6% of respondents said that they were “trimmed,” 39.8% said that they were “clean-shaven,” and 17.6% were “au naturale.” As for preferences for their partners, 33.8% said they had no preference, whereas 37.1% preferred trimmed and 26.4% preferred clean-shaven pubic regions.

When it came to intimacy, 40.3% reported their favorite sex position was missionary, 23.1% doggy, and 20.3% cowgirl; preferred places to be kissed were on the neck, ears, and lips. “Below belt :)),” one respondent specified. 

As for sex during menstruation, responses were varied. 27.7% of respondents flat out said no, 26.4% said “if I’m horny enough,” 20.8% said “if it’s light,” and 25.1% simply responded “Yes.” 

Students also shared their favorite euphemisms for their genitalia: “The ICE cannon,” “Big mama and the twins,” and “Draco Mouthful” were among the 62 answers. Two separate responses said “Bonnie and Clyde.”

For those wondering how many sexual partners were viewed as “too many” when looking for a future partner, 24.7% chose 10+, 21.5% shared they do not care, 21% answered 20+, and 18.7% said 5+. The remaining respondents ranged from selecting 35 or 50+, or believing one or two prior partners would be a deal-breaker.

Sex and Self-Care

The survey also delved into solo sexual behavior. 36.8% of respondents watch or read pornography occasionally, 19.3% do so a few times a week, and 22.5% reported that they had never done so. The average respondent reported masturbating 1.57 times per week. A minority, 16.6% admitted to masturbating in public at least once.

When asked about contraception, the most common method cited was condoms, chosen by 49.7% of respondents, followed by “the pill” at 20.1% and IUD at 16.4%. Only 10.7% said they use the pull-out method. 

As for aftercare and food after sex, respondents listed pizza, Mexican cuisine, and burgers as their favorites. One respondent also noted enjoying “a zyn” post-sex.

Student Commentary

What do you think is the biggest misconception about sex?

“Honest communication makes the biggest difference. Stop faking your orgasm and be clear and direct about what feels good. You deserve pleasure, and it will be better for both parties involved!”

“That guys want it more than girls. In truth, girls want it as well; however, there is a rampant culture of slut-shaming that only applies to women and not men.”

“That it is dirty and that you are a slut if u have sex! #nottrue #yessexyes”

“That you can just go right into it. Usually, I feel like women (and sometimes men) need foreplay to loosen up and relax before any penetration can happen. People also assume it has to go perfectly the first time, or they’ve failed. Usually it takes a few tries to get it to work or find out what works.”

“That it’s clean. It’s definitely not.”

Most awkward sexual experience?

“First time.”

“He had a small dick and it went really soft, and then he tried to give me his Rolex.”

“Dude got impotent because he remembered his trauma from being in a Christian cult.”

“My first time was a foursome at 14. It was awkward. Very awkward.”

“I was really drunk and I fell asleep while my boyfriend was giving me head and started sleep talking about the dhall.”

“Farting while bottoming for the first time (it’s ok he farted first)”

A crazy story or a hot take?

“I black out and wake up in girls’ beds sometimes, I swear it’s a form of teleportation.”

“I once hooked up with an Australian guy, and when I was riding him (Bulgarian squat style), he compared me to a kangaroo.”

“I once gave head to my bf and the room’s door was open, his dad walked in front of it…”

“Once a British guy in the Royal Air Force made me prove to him that I knew every single word of ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ by singing it to him as he smoked a cig [sic] as we sat under a tree in Cambridge Commons before he would kiss me”

“Normalize talking about sex!”

Written by the News Staff of the Harvard Independent.