The allegations of extramarital affairs are often associated with men who are perceived to be promiscuous. However, a Wake Forest University researcher debunks the stereotype with his new finding.

According to Andrew Irwin-Smiler, majority of boys and men prioritize and value emotional connection to their partner. "As a culture, we have a perception that men just want sex and that all men are promiscuous,” said Smiler. But the research shows that while men do have more partners than women, most men only have one partner at a time as majority of boys and men seek emotional connection with their partner.

Smiler’s research also shows that the popular media fuels the perception that men are promiscuous with television characters such a Fonzie in Happy Days, Hawkeye Pierce in Mash, Sam Malone in Cheers, Joey Tribbiani in Friendsand Charlie Harper in 2 ½ Men.

The high-profile scandals involving public figures only add to the common misperceptions of men’s sexual behaviour. “The question is whether the media reflects reality or creates reality?” Smiler said.