It's just not their priority in a relationship though sex is still apart of it.

I was always afraid that listing sex would be wrongly interpreted that I was open to hookups.

I took that to mean enjoyed sex as a hobby, or more than a typical biological drive. I'd assume most enjoy sex and that the box was for some significance beyond that. Enjoying sex, IMO, is the default unless someone mentions being asexual or hypersexual in some way.

Interesting how almost all responses to this question are the same. I make a point of saying that I am affectionate, looking for my last first kiss, enjoy hand-holding, PDAs, etc. All of that is on my profile (not here, elsewhere) which I think pretty much indicates that a physical relationship is as important to me as the chemistry that will get us there eventually.

It's a given? It's a much bigger deal for someone to say they DON'T enjoy sex, I think. And -- speaking as a woman in her 60s who has --unfortunately --reentered the dating scene in recent years: In my experience, if you list sex as something you enjoy, men ignore EVERYTHING ELSE you've written and zero right into that, like bad foreplay -- going right to the hot buttons without exploring the other terrain along the journey.

I'm guessing many of the women on this site tried online dating elsewhere before they came here. I wonder how many have felt objectified by some gym rat who saw their profile and propositioned them for a quick fuck behind the dumpster.
I think that a woman who has put up with all of the sexual immaturity flying around in the dating world (especially online), and still lists sex as one of her interests here, is a brave person and probably worthy of respect.

Given the number of creeps around I can to a certain extent understand not listing sex, love however is a slightly different matter and its exclusion I find hard to fathom. However returning to sex I have met women who thought themselves desirably sexy who, in coitus, were as exciting as cold sliced liver or fish and smelt worse.
May I suggest that those excluding sex from their attributes at least indicate that they can be passionate people and far removed from the proverbial dead wet fish.

Well W, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that for centuries society has disparaged women who enjoy sex, as cheap whores and sluts. Some cultures still go as far as to genitally mutilate women so that they can't enjoy sex. Conversely men have had a history of entitlement, use and abuse of women's bodies, and many still haven't learned that they no longer have that 'right'. If women advertise that they enjoy sex, there are many who would interpret it as an open invitation to all and sundry and women's choices would be compromised. Most women expect to make their own decisions about sex within a unique relationship based on many factors, not just to have sex for physical relief.

I would agree with almost every poster here. I am reasonably sure that if I put sex as something I'm looking for someone is going to assume I'm cheap and easy, or available for FWB. I want sex in the context of a relationship. I'm hoping to have sex again one day, but I'm willing to wait for the whole package.

Because when I put that I can still be highly sexual at 56, it brings me nothing but trouble. There's no way a woman can put that and not get bombarded by men who are just looking for sex and nothing else.... and in a creepy way.

On some dating sites, men can be very forward and sometimes downright creepy. Mentioning that you like sex can be asking for trouble.

Because meeting and getting to know someone comes first. If there's chemistry and things are moving in that direction, then it will get there.

I think the 7 comments (as I post this) here pretty well capture it. I assume everyone wants that from a partner. I wouldn't list it as a like because doing so is crass. It can be safely assumed; if you connect with someone you can figure out the details.

Perhaps it's because some woman have been brought up to believe sex is sin, a taboo subject or they are just not comfortable talking about it for whatever reason. Perhaps they feel that if they were to mention it in their profile, it may give the impression that they are promiscuous, easy or a nymphomaniac by admitting they enjoy it.

I find it's not something I want to lead with. I'd rather connect and start a conversation about shared interests, wants, likes and hobbies, details about the person. I'd rather attract a man that is interested in my mind first, then sex comes later.

Fair question. It can easily be misconstrued as seeking strictly recreational sex. I’m all for sexy fun and passion, but I prefer to express it within a relationship. Also, when I listed my job as a sexuality educator on other sites, men approached me for threesomes, etc. They assumed that because I mentioned it in my profile, I’d be open to anything.

Because they're either not terribly interested in sex or don't feel its a very polite thing to advertise?