Why Sexting Is a Sign of a Healthy Relationship

What’s the Latest Development?

The most common portrayal of sexting in the media is of children sending explicit texts or picture messages to each other at school. This view gives sexting the reputation of an “unsavory, deviant or even criminal” behavior. But a recent study from the University of Michigan reveals a different side of sexting. The study, looking at the sexting behavior of 3,447 men and women ages 18-24, found that nearly half of the respondents participate in sexting. “The participants who ‘sexted’ did not report riskier sexual behavior than those who didn’t. Nor did they report more depression, anxiety or low self-esteem.”

What’s the Big Idea?

From this study, researchers found that “sexting isn’t associated with sexually risky behaviors or with psychological problems.” Most respondents that received sexts also sent them, which implies a reciprocal relationship between romantic partners. While news stories about Brett Favre, Matthew Weiner and Tiger Woods put sexting in a negative light, the bottom line is that sexting is now regarded as a healthy component of modern adult relationships.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com