Why men prefer to resolve arguments with sexual favours (apparently)

And why women would rather chat it out

Words by Jadie Troy-Pryde

Couples face various challenges on a day-to-day basis. Unless your relationship is brimming with these toxic and red flag behaviours, arguing with your partner is completely normal and there are even some helpful tips on overcoming the most common squabbles.

Most arguments can be resolved really easily by using this common phrase, and it's not necessarily an indication that you should make any drastic decisions about your future together - but it seems that men and women differ when it comes to their preferred method of resolve.

According to a new study, men are happy to end an argument with a healthy dose of make-up sex, whereas women would rather talk about the problem.

In Sex Differences in Reconciliation Behaviour After Romantic Conflict, researchers asked 74 participants to rate how they liked to make up with their partner after conflict, and which methods they deemed most effective. The results showed that overall, men ranked nice gestures and sexual favours highly, and women looked for an apology and communication.

However, that's not to say that women were adversed to sex after a fight with 9% admitting that getting between the sheets would be their chosen reconciliation technique.

But why do men and women appear to differ in their approach? Researchers suggest that it boils down to the gender-specific reasons that people stay in relationships. Studies show that men are more likely to be with a partner that is 'sexually accessible', whereas women prefer working through emotional issues which could explain the disparity between sexual and emotional closure for men and women.

Although the men and women involved in the study admitted that they both enjoy getting gifts after fight, it was the men who said they were more likely to suggest a present after a bust-up.

Men were also more likely to try and make their partner laugh or drink alcohol after an argument, but these tactics got an unsurprising 0% backing from the women in the study.

Of course, there's no way we can generalise an entire gender based on this small survey and as every couple is different, there's no cookie cutter solution when it comes to resolving an issue with your other half.

Saying that, a healthy mix communication and make-up sex does sound like a pretty balanced solution to us.