Human sexual activity: Difference between revisions
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==Safety aspects== |
==Safety aspects== |
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[[File:Préservatif enroulé.jpg|thumb|right|100px|A rolled up male [[condom]]]] |
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There are three main types of risks that arise from sexual activity. These are contracting a [[sexually transmitted disease]], an unwanted [[pregnancy]], or a physical injury. |
There are three main types of risks that arise from sexual activity. These are contracting a [[sexually transmitted disease]], an unwanted [[pregnancy]], or a physical injury. |
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Sexual activity that involves contact with another person's [[bodily fluids]] carries the risk of contracting a [[sexually transmitted disease]]. [[Safer sex]] practices try to avoid this. These precautions are often seen as less necessary for [[sex partner]]s in committed relationships, if they are known to be free of disease. |
Sexual activity that involves contact with another person's [[bodily fluids]] carries the risk of contracting a [[sexually transmitted disease]] such as those arising from [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]], [[chlamydia]], [[syphilis]], [[gonorrhea]], and [[Human papillomavirus|HPV]]. [[Safer sex]] practices try to avoid this. These precautions are often seen as less necessary for [[sex partner]]s in committed relationships, if they are known to be free of disease. Some people require potential sex partners to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases before engaging in sex.<ref>[http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/stis-overview Sexually Transmitted Infections Overview. From University of California Santa Barbara.] Retrieved 11 October 2009.</ref> |
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Sexual activity that involves [[sexual intercourse]] or even contact of semen with the vagina or vulva carries the chance of pregnancy. People who want to engage in such behaviors with a reduced chance of pregnancy employ any of a variety of available [[contraception]] methods, such as [[birth control pill]]s, the use of a [[condom]], [[spermicide]]s, [[hormonal contraception]], and sterilization. |
Sexual activity that involves [[sexual intercourse]] or even contact of semen with the vagina or vulva carries the chance of pregnancy. People who want to engage in such behaviors with a reduced chance of pregnancy employ any of a variety of available [[contraception]] methods, such as [[birth control pill]]s, the use of a [[condom]], [[spermicide]]s, [[hormonal contraception]], and sterilization.<ref>[http://contraception.about.com/od/contraceptionoverview/g/glossary.htm Dawn Stacey: Contraception. About.com.] Retrieved 11 October 2009.</ref> |
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Physical risks vary with the type of sexual activity being engaged in. The medical condition and physical limitations of the participants must be kept in mind. |
Physical risks vary with the type of sexual activity being engaged in. The medical condition and physical limitations of the participants must be kept in mind. |
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Human sexual activities or human sexual practices or human sexual behavior refers to the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as strategies to find or attract partners (mating and display behavior), interactions between individuals, physical or emotional intimacy, and sexual contact.
The term sexual activity can refer both to acts involving two or more people, as in sexual intercourse, oral sex, or mutual masturbation, and to the one person activity, such as masturbation.
In some cultures sexual activity is considered acceptable only within marriage, although premarital and extramarital sex are universal. Some sexual activities are illegal either universally or in some countries, and some are considered against the norms of a society. For example, sexual activity with a person below some age of consent and sexual assault in general are criminal offenses in many jurisdictions.
Reasons for sexual activity
People engage in sexual activity for any of a multitude of possible reasons.
Most people engage in sexual activity because of the sexual pleasure they derive from the activity, most commonly through orgasm. The most common pleasurable sexual activities are sexual intercourse (including foreplay) and masturbation. Some people derive sexual pleasure from fetishism and/or BDSM.[1][2]
Most commonly, people engage in sexual activity with a person to whom they are sexually attracted; but at times, a person may engage in a sexual activity solely for the sexual pleasure of the partner, such as because of an obligation they may have to the partner or because of sympathy or pity they may feel for the partner.
Also, a person may engage in sexual activity for purely monetary considerations, or to obtain some advantage from either the partner or the activity. Furthermore, a man and woman may engage in sexual intercourse with the objective of conception. Some people engage in hate sex, which occurs between two people who strongly dislike or annoy each other. It is related to the idea that opposition between two people can heighten sexual tension, attraction and interest.[3][4]
Aspects of human sexual behavior
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2010) |
Female sexual pleasure
Foreplay is the first level on which women feel sexually aroused. During foreplay they are shown that they are loved and desired and they are prepared for the sexual intercourse. In order to achieve sexual pleasure and orgasms, stimulation during foreplay must be gradually intensified. This means that female orgasms are more likely to occur if the touching of their genital area is delayed.[5]
The ultimate female sexual pleasure is the orgasm. However, women find it harder than men to experience orgasms due to the increased level of stimulation that they need. Any kind of stimulation makes a difference when it comes to female pleasure and orgasms.
It used to be thought that the female orgasms may be clitoral or vaginal but sexologists nowadays agree that an orgasm is an orgasm, no matter the zone that is being stimulated.[6] Even though most of the women need more than just one type of stimulation in order to achieve orgasms, the very important parts to take into consideration are the clitoris and the vagina. In fact, the clitoris has no other function but the one to provide female sexual pleasure. Most women experience orgasms due to intense clitoral stimulation. One of the reasons why orgasms are easier to achieve when the clitoris is stimulated is that the clitoris has 8,000 nerve fibers, the highest concentration of nerve fibers found in the body.[7] The clitoris has an internal structure and tissues that engorge with blood when a woman is aroused.[8] There is some evidence that there is a pleasurably sensitive area or areas inside the vagina, one of which is popularly known as the g-spot.[9] From the first research on the g-spot by Grafenberg, most concede that this area is nearest the backside of the clitoris, if not the root of the clitoris itself.[10][11][12]
The intensity and duration of an orgasm may[weasel words] be different with every woman. Women are able to experience multiple orgasms which can be serial multiple meaning they are experiencing several orgasms one after another or sequential multiple orgasms which are the orgasms that occur one after another but separated by few minutes. Even though the multiple orgasms are very rarely experienced they are not impossible.[citation needed]
Female erogenous zones
The female erogenous zones are areas with nerve endings that increase the sensitivity and their stimulation results in sexual response.[13] The aim of exploring the female erogenous areas is to prepare the woman for sexual intercourse by increasing her level of arousal in order to enjoy the act and potentially reach an orgasm. The erogenous zones are different from woman to woman and it is also likely that the stimulation of the erogenous areas that some women find pleasant and exciting may be impossible to bear for others.
However, there are certain spots that most of the women enjoy being touched on or kissed. One of them is the ear. Stimulation of this erogenous area is more intense if made with the lips or tongue. The gentle touch of the ear may[weasel words] be very exciting for some women. For others, the lips are a sensitive spot that when it is touched produces wonderful sensations. Most of the women enjoy being kissed with passion on the lips and also, French kissing. Kissing on any of its forms may constitute the beginning of the foreplay.
The neck is one of the most sensitive parts of a woman's body. Most of the women get shivers only by feeling the partner's warm breath, his fingertips or kisses. Biting is another way to stimulate the sensitive nerves. On the other hand, the undersides of the breasts and the nipples are very rich in nerve endings so women may get aroused by the simple gentle touch of the breasts. They can be stimulated manually or orally, using the lips and tongue.
The inner sides of the thighs are also a common erogenous zone for most women. They are very sensitive to touch and touching and kissing this area increases the degree of arousal in a woman. The feet are sensitive to touches and kisses and they constitute an erogenous zone for a big part of the women.
Cultural aspects
As with other behaviors, human intelligence and complex societies have produced among the most complicated sexual behaviors of any animal. Most people experiment with a range of sexual activities during their lives, though they tend to engage in only a few of these regularly. Most people enjoy some sexual activities. Some people enjoy many different sexual activities, while others avoid sexual activities altogether for religious or other reasons (see chastity, sexual abstinence, asexuality). Some prefer monogamous relationships for sex, and others may prefer many different partners throughout their lives.
Frequency of sexual activity
The frequency of sexual intercourse might range from zero (sexual abstinence) to 15 or 20 times a week.[14] In America, the average frequency of sexual intercourse for married couples is 2 to 3 times a week.[15] It is generally recognized that postmenopausal women experience declines in frequency of sexual intercourse[16] and that average frequency of intercourse declines with age. According to the Kinsey Institute, average frequency of sexual intercourse in USA is 112 times per year (age 18-29), 86 times per year (age 30-39), and 69 times per year (age 40-49).[17]
Safety aspects
There are three main types of risks that arise from sexual activity. These are contracting a sexually transmitted disease, an unwanted pregnancy, or a physical injury.
Sexual activity that involves contact with another person's bodily fluids carries the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease such as those arising from HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HPV. Safer sex practices try to avoid this. These precautions are often seen as less necessary for sex partners in committed relationships, if they are known to be free of disease. Some people require potential sex partners to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases before engaging in sex.[18]
Sexual activity that involves sexual intercourse or even contact of semen with the vagina or vulva carries the chance of pregnancy. People who want to engage in such behaviors with a reduced chance of pregnancy employ any of a variety of available contraception methods, such as birth control pills, the use of a condom, spermicides, hormonal contraception, and sterilization.[19]
Physical risks vary with the type of sexual activity being engaged in. The medical condition and physical limitations of the participants must be kept in mind.
The risk factors are increased by a condition (temporary or permanent) which impairs a person's judgment, such as excess alcohol or other drugs, or emotional states such as loneliness, depression or euphoria.
Legal issues
There are many laws and social customs which prohibit, or in some way have an impact on sexual activities. These laws and customs vary from country to country, and has varied over time. They cover, for example, a prohibition to non-consensual sex, to sex outside of marriage, to sexual activity in public, besides many others. Many of these restrictions are non-controversial, but some have been the subject of public debate.
Same sex laws
Many countries used to have laws prohibiting same-sex sexual activity, though these have been largely removed by many countries.
Minimum age of sexual activity (age of consent)
The laws of each jurisdiction set the minimum age at which a young person is allowed to engage in sexual activity.[20] The median age of consent seems to range from 16 to 18 years, but laws stating ages ranging from 9 to 21 do exist. In many jurisdictions, age of consent is a person's mental or functional age.[21] As a result, victims can be of any chronological age if their mental age is below the age of consent.[22]
Some jurisdictions forbid sexual activity outside of legal marriage completely. The relevant age may also vary by the type of sexual act, the sex of the actors, or other restrictions such as abuse of a position of trust. Some jurisdictions may also make allowances for minors engaged in sexual acts with each other, rather than a hard and fast single age.
Incestuous relationships
Most jurisdictions prohibit sexual activity between certain close relatives. These laws vary to some extent, and are called incest.
Social norms and rules
Human sexual behavior, like many other kinds of activity engaged in by humans, is generally governed by social rules that are culturally specific and vary widely. These social rules are referred to as sexual morality (what can and can not be done by society's rules) and sexual norms (what is and is not expected). In most cultures attitudes towards premarital sex and the use of contraceptives can correlate to religious beliefs.[23]
Sexual ethics, morals, and norms relate to issues including deception/honesty, legality, fidelity and consent. Some activities, known as sex crimes in some locations, are illegal in some jurisdictions, including those conducted between (or among) consenting and competent adults (examples include sodomy law and adult-adult incest).
Some people who are in a relationship but want to hide homosexual or heterosexual activity from their partner, may solicit consensual sexual activity with others through personal contacts, online chat rooms, or, advertising in select media.
Some people engage in various sexual activities as a business transaction. When this involves having sex with, or performing certain actual sexual acts for another person in exchange for money or something of value, it is called prostitution. Other aspects of the adult industry include (for example) telephone sex operators, strip clubs, pornography and the like.
Most societies consider it a serious crime to force someone to engage in sexual behavior or to engage in sexual behavior with someone who does not consent. This is called sexual assault, and if sexual penetration occurs it is called rape, the most serious kind of sexual assault. The details of this distinction may vary among different legal jurisdictions. Also, precisely what constitutes effective consent to have sex varies from culture to culture and is frequently debated. Laws regulating the minimum age at which a person can consent to have sex (age of consent) are frequently the subject of debate, as is adolescent sexual behavior in general. Some societies have forced marriage, where consent may not be required.
Sexual activity and orientations
Sexual pleasure
Sexual pleasure is pleasure derived from any kind of sexual activity. Though orgasm is generally known, sexual pleasure includes erotic pleasure during foreplay, and pleasure due to fetish or BDSM.[24][25]
Heterosexuality
Heterosexuality involves individuals of opposite sexes.[26]
Different-sex sexual practices are limited by laws in many places. In some countries, mostly those where religion has a strong influence on social policy, marriage laws serve the purpose of encouraging people to have sex only within marriage. Sodomy laws were seen as discouraging same-sex sexual practices, but may affect opposite-sex sexual practices. Laws also ban adults from committing sexual abuse, committing sexual acts with anyone under an age of consent, performing sexual activities in public, and engaging in sexual activities for money (prostitution). Though these laws cover both same-sex and opposite-sex sexual activities, they may differ in regard to punishment, and may be more frequently (or exclusively) enforced on those who engage in same-sex sexual activities.[27]
Different-sex sexual practices may be monogamous, serially monogamous, or polyamorous, and, depending on the definition of sexual practice, abstinent or autoerotic (including masturbation).
Different religious and political movements have tried to influence or control changes in sexual practices including courting and marriage, though in most countries changes occur at a slow rate.[28]
Homosexuality
Homosexuality (from Greek homo = same) involves individuals of the same sex.[29]
People with a homosexual orientation can express their sexuality in a variety of ways, and may or may not express it in their behaviors.[30] Some have sexual relationships predominately with people of their own gender identity, another gender, bisexual relationships or they can be celibate.[30] Research indicates that many lesbians and gay men want, and succeed in having, committed and durable relationships. For example, survey data indicate that between 40% and 60% of gay men and between 45% and 80% of lesbians are currently involved in a romantic relationship.[31]
It is possible for a person whose sexual identity is mainly heterosexual to engage in sexual acts with people of the same sex. For example, mutual masturbation in the context of what may be considered normal heterosexual teen development. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual people who pretend to be heterosexual are often referred to as being closeted, hiding their sexuality in "the closet". "Closet case" is a derogatory term used to refer to people who hide their sexuality. Making that orientation (semi-) public can be called "coming out of the closet" in the case of voluntary disclosure or "outing" in the case of disclosure by others against the subject's wishes. Among some communities (called "men on the DL" or "down-low"), same-sex sexual behavior is sometimes viewed as solely for physical pleasure. Men on the "down-low" may engage in sex acts with other men while continuing sexual and romantic relationships with women.
The definition of homosexuality is a preference to members of one's own sex, though people who engage exclusively in same-sex sexual practices may not identify themselves as bisexual, gay or lesbian. In sex-segregated environments, individuals may seek relationships with others of their own gender (known as situational homosexuality). In other cases, some people may experiment or explore their sexuality with same (and/or different) sex sexual activity before defining their sexual identity. Despite stereotypes and common misconceptions, there are no forms of sexual activity exclusive to same-sex sexual behavior that can not also be found in opposite-sex sexual behavior, save those involving contact of the same sex genitalia such as tribadism and frot.
Autoerotic sexuality
Autoeroticism, also known as autosexuality, is sexual activity that does not involve another person as a partner. It can involve masturbation, though several paraphilias require a partner. Many people use dildos, vibrators, anal beads, sybian machines, and other sex toys while alone.[32]
Though many autoerotic practices are relatively physically safe, some can be dangerous. These include erotic asphyxiation and self-bondage. The potential for injury or even death that exists while engaging in the partnered versions of these fetishes (choking and bondage, respectively) becomes drastically increased due to the isolation and lack of assistance in the event of a problem.
Sexual abuse
Sexual activity can also encompass sexual abuse — that is, coercive or abusive use of sexuality. Examples include: rape, lust murder, child sexual abuse, and zoosadism (animal abuse which may be sexual in nature), as well as (in many countries) certain non-consensual paraphilias such as frotteurism, telephone scatophilia (indecent phonecalls), and non-consensual exhibitionism and voyeurism (known as "indecent exposure" and "peeping tom" respectively).[33]
The sexual abuse of individuals is widely prohibited by law and considered against the norms of society.
Alternative practices
Many people derive sexual pleasure from a variety of alternative practices ranging from fetishism to BDSM.
- BDSM: a compound acronym covering bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism.[34] The parties involved usually experience pleasure through a spectrum of alternative sexual activities. Often consensual power exchange (one person dominating and the other submitting) can occur. These practices can include spanking, bondage, role playing, role reversals, and raising endorphins through the use of whips, floggers and other implements.
- Fetishism can take many forms ranging from the desire for certain body parts, for example large breasts, armpits or foot worship. The object of desire can often be shoes, boots, lingerie, clothing, leather or rubber items.
See also
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Footnotes
- ^ Sex and Relationships - Sex - 4Health from Channel 4
- ^ Improve your orgasm: you may have thought your sexual pleasure was the one thing that couldn't get any better. Think again - Sexual Fitness - physiology | Men's Fitness | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Holbrook, David (1972). The masks of hate: the problem of false solutions in the culture of an acquisitive society. Pergamon Press. p. 118. ISBN 9780080157993.
- ^ Institute, American Film (1997). [[The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures]] produced in the United States, Volume 1, Part 2 (reprint ed.). University of California Press. p. 369. ISBN 9780520209701.
{{cite book}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ "How To Pleasure Women". Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Understanding The Female Orgasm". Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ Angier, Natalie (1999). Woman : an intimate geography. Houghton Mifflin Co. p.63. ISBN 0-385-49841-1.
- ^ the Federation of Feminist Women’s Health Centers (1991). “A New View of a Woman’s body”, pp.46-47. Feminist Health Press. ISBN 0-9629945-0-2 Pbk.
- ^ Delvin, David; Christine Webber (May 2008). "The G-Spot". Healthy Living. NetDoctor.co.uk. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthyliving/gspot.htm. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Ernest Gräfenberg (1950). "The role of urethra in female orgasm". International Journal of Sexology 3 (3): 145–148. http://www.landman psychology.com/284/sexuality/grafenberg-gspot.htm.
- ^ "BBC NEWS | Health | Female G spot 'can be detected'". html. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7254523.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
- ^ Angier, Natalie (1999). Woman : an intimate geography. Houghton Mifflin Co. p.83. ISBN 0-385-49841-1.
- ^ "Her Erogenous Zones". Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ Sexual health: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist
- ^ Varcarolis, E.M. (1990). Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. New York: W.B. Saunders Company. p. 787. ISBN 0-7216-1976-2.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "ACOG 2003 Poster, Sociosexual Behavior in Healthy Women". Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ "Frequently asked questions to the [[Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction|Kinsey Institute]]". Retrieved 2009-01-06.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Sexually Transmitted Infections Overview. From University of California Santa Barbara. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ Dawn Stacey: Contraception. About.com. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ Waites, Matthew (2005). The Age of Consent: Young People, Sexuality and Citizenship. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-2173-3.
- ^ [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
- ^ [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
- ^ Margaret Talbot, Red Sex, Blue Sex, from The New Yorker, November 3, 2008
- ^ Sex and Relationships - Sex - 4Health from Channel 4
- ^ Improve your orgasm: you may have thought your sexual pleasure was the one thing that couldn't get any better. Think again - Sexual Fitness - physiology | Men's Fitness | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Heterosexual Sex. World Sex Explorer. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- ^ Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses: Overview. From FindLaw. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- ^ Adultery extra marital sex. From MarriagePartner.com. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- ^ Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
- ^ a b APA Help Center
- ^ What is Nature
- ^ Autosexuality. From Global Oneness. Retrieved 13 October 2009
- ^ Sex Offenses and Offenders. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
- ^ "BDSM Terms". A Slave's Heart. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
Further reading
- Agmo Anders, Functional and dysfunctional sexual behavior. Elsevier 2007
- Wunsch Serge PhD thesis about sexual behavior Paris, Sorbonne 2007
- Durex Global Sex Survey 2005 at data360.org
