‘Women are judged more than men’
Heather Johnson*, 47, lives in London.
I’ve always been quite a sexual person. That’s why, when I found out the average number of partners is only eight, I was stunned. I’m 47 and can’t imagine having only slept with so few people.
The first time I had sex I was just 14. Looking back, I wish I’d waited, but at the time all my friends were doing it.
It was a couple of years until I had sex again, but by the time I reached university, although I had a few relationships, the truth was I preferred the excitement of those early days – being unable to keep your hands off each other, those nervous butterflies – so they always fizzled out.
After graduating, I got a job as a media executive. I worked hard but partied hard too. Sleeping with strangers was never something I regretted.
Then, in 1996, I met David*. I wanted more from him than just sex and he balanced out my loud personality. We got married 12 months later, but five years on, with my career really taking off, we separated.
After that I threw myself into going out and meeting new people – and at least half the people I’ve slept with have been one-night stands.
I’m now in a happy relationship with my current partner of four years and he knows about my sexual history. Like me, he doesn’t see anything wrong with it, but women are definitely seen in a worse light than men – it’s not fair.