Human sexual behavior 14337 225911690 2008-07-15T23:52:56Z 201.42.63.208 {{dablink|This article is about sexual practices (i.e., physical sex). Broader aspects of sexual behavior such as [[social]] and [[psychology|psychological]] sexual issues are covered in article [[human sexuality]].}} {{Close Relationships}} '''Human sexual behavior''' or different '''human sexual practices''' encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ([[mating]] and [[Display (zoology)|display]] behaviour), interactions between individuals, [[physical intimacy|physical]] or [[emotional intimacy]], and sexual contact. Some cultures will find only sexual contact within marriage acceptable; however, extramarital sexual activity still takes place. [[Unprotected sex]] may result in unwanted [[pregnancy]] or [[sexually transmitted disease]]s. In some areas, [[sexual abuse]] of individuals is prohibited by law and considered against the norms of society. ==Aspects of human sexual behavior== [[Image:52-aspetti di vita quotidiana, amore,Taccuino Sanitatis, Cas.jpg|thumb|250px|''Coitus'', [[tacuinum sanitatis]] casanatensis (XIV century)]] === 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. However, most societies have defined some sexual activities as inappropriate (wrong person, wrong activity, wrong place, , etc.) Some people enjoy many different sexual activities, while others avoid sexual activities altogether for religious or other reasons (see [[chastity]], [[sexual abstinence]]). Historically, some societies and [[religion]]s have viewed sex as appropriate only within [[marriage]]. === Social norms and rules === {{main|Social norm}} Human sexual behavior, like many other kinds of activity engaged in by human beings, is generally governed by social rules that are culturally specific and vary widely. These social rules are referred to as [[Sexual ethics|sexual morality]] (what can and can not be done by society's rules) and [[sexual norm]]s (what is and is not expected). Sexual ethics, morals, and norms relate to issues including deception/honesty, legality, [[fidelity]] and consent. Some activities, known as [[Sex and the law|sex crimes]], are illegal in some jurisdictions, including those conducted between (or among) consenting and competent adults (examples include [[sodomy law]] and adult-adult [[incest]]). Scientific studies suggest sexual fantasy, even of unusual interests, is usually a healthy activity.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} 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, it is called [[prostitution]]. Other aspects of the [[Sex industry|adult industry]] include (for example) [[Phone sex|telephone sex]] operators, [[strip club]]s, [[pornography]] and the like. Nearly all developed 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 political and moral debate {{Fact|date=March 2008}}, as is [[adolescent sexual behavior]] in general. Additionally, many societies have forced marriage, so consent does not really figure in to the equation of a sex crime.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} It is possible to engage in sexual activity without a partner, primarily through [[masturbation]] and/or [[sexual fantasy]]. ===Frequency of sexual activity=== The frequency of [[sexual intercourse]] might range from zero ([[sexual abstinence]]) to 15 or 20 times a week.<ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sexual-health/HQ01363 Sexual health: An interview with a Mayo Clinic specialist]</ref> It is generally recognized that [[Menopause|postmenopausal]] women experience declines in frequency of sexual intercourse.<ref>[http://www.athenainstitute.com/sciencelinks/acog03.html ACOG 2003 Poster, Sociosexual Behavior in Healthy Women]</ref>. The average frequency of sexual intercourse for married couples is 2 to 3 times a week (in America). <ref>{{cite book | last = Varcarolis | first = E.M. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | publisher =W.B. Saunders Company |date=1990 | location = New York | pages = p. 787 | url = | doi = | id = ISBN 0-7216-1976-2}} </ref> ==Safety and ancillary issues== There are four main areas of risk in sexual activity, namely: * choosing to trust a partner who is physically at risk * [[sexually transmitted disease]] * unwanted [[pregnancy]] * seeking or engaging in an activity which is legally or culturally disapproved These risks are raised by any condition (temporary or permanent) which impairs one's judgement, such as excess [[alcohol]] or [[drugs]], or emotional states such as [[loneliness]], [[depression (mood)|depression]] or [[Euphoria (emotion)|euphoria]] (e.g. new students at college). Carefully considered activity can greatly reduce all of these issues. === Sexually transmitted disease === {{main|Safe sex}} Sexual behaviors that involve contact with the bodily fluids of another person entail risk of transmission of [[sexually transmitted disease]]. Safe sex practices try to avoid this. These techniques are often seen as less necessary for those in committed relationships with persons known to be free of disease; see [[fluid bonding]]. Due to [[health]] concerns arising from [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]], [[Chlamydia infection|chlamydia]], [[syphilis]], [[gonorrhea]], [[HPV]] and other [[sexually transmitted infections]], some people may want potential [[sex]] partners to be tested for [[Sexually transmitted disease|STD]]s before engaging in [[sex]]. ===Unwanted pregnancy=== Sexual behaviors that involve the contact of [[semen]] with the [[vagina]] or [[vulva]] may result in [[pregnancy]]. To prevent pregnancy, many people employ a variety of birth control measures. The most popular methods of prevention are [[condoms]], [[spermicide]]s, [[hormonal contraception]], and sterilization. ==Legal issues related to sexual behavior== {{main|Paraphilia#Legal views|Sex and the law}} ===Sodomy and same sex laws=== Various forms of same-sex sexual activity have been prohibited under law in many areas at different times in history. In 2003, the [[Lawrence v Texas]] United States Supreme Court decision overturned all such laws in the US.<ref>[http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/02-102.ZS.html Lawrence V. Texas<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Usually, though not always, such laws are termed [[sodomy law]]s, but also include issues such as age of consent laws, "decency" laws, and so forth. Laws prohibiting same-sex sexuality have varied widely throughout history, varying by culture, religious and social taboos and customs, etc. Often such laws are targeted or applied differently based on sex as well. For example, laws against same-sex sexual behavior in the [[United Kingdom]] during the reign of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]], sodomy or "buggery" laws were aimed specifically at male same-sex sexual activity and did not target or even address female homosexuality. A well known example of such laws applied in relatively modern times can be found in the life story of [[Alan Turing]]. ==Child sexual abuse== {{main|Child sexual abuse}} == List of sex acts and practices == :''There are many variations of sexual activities, and often multiple names for any given practice. For more detail see the comprehensive ''[[list of sex positions]]'' and ''[[list of sexual slang]].'' {{Cleanup-list|date=January 2007}} ===General=== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *[[Barebacking]] *[[Erotic massage]] *[[Erotica]] *[[Group sex]] *[[Sex toy]] *[[Cunnilingus]] *[[Fellatio]] *[[Anilingus]] *[[Sexual fantasy]] *[[Masturbation]] {{col-2}} *[[Oral sex]] *[[Oral stimulation of nipples]] *[[Sexual intercourse]] *[[Anal intercourse]] *[[Intercrural sex]] *[[Outercourse]] *[[Pornography]] *[[Sexual roleplaying|Roleplay]] *[[List of sex positions|Sex positions]] *[[Foreplay]] *[[Mammary intercourse]] {{col-end}} ===BDSM-related=== * [[BDSM]] **[[Bondage (BDSM)|Bondage]] **[[List of bondage positions]] **[[Domination and submission (BDSM)|Domination and submission]] **[[Sadomasochism]] **[[Impact play]] * [[Sexual fetishism|Fetishism]] **[[Foot fetishism]] **[[Leather fetishism]] **[[Latex and PVC fetishism]] * [[Nyotaimori]] * [[Wax play]] ===Specialized verbal or visual activities=== Some forms of sexual activity involve someone else, but not touching the other: * [[Dirty talk]] **[[Phone sex]] **[[Cybersex]] * [[Exhibitionism]] is the recurrent urge or behavior to expose one's genitals to an unsuspecting person. * [[Voyeurism]] is the recurrent urge or behavior to observe an unsuspecting person who is naked, disrobing or engaging in sexual activities. ==References== <!-- this 'empty' section displays references defined elsewhere --> {{reflist}} ==See also== {{commonscat|Sex}} * [[Physical intimacy]] * [[Sexual attraction]] * [[History of human sexuality]] * [[Sexual orientation]] * [[Sexual function]] * [[Sex education]] * [[Sexual slang]] * [[List of sex positions]] * [[Lust]] * [[Sexual norm]] * [[Human sexual response cycle]] * [[sexual arousal]] * [[paraphilia]] * [[sexology]] {{sex}} {{Reproductive physiology}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Sexual behavior}} [[Category:Human behavior]] [[Category:Human sexuality]] [[Category:Personal life]] [[Category:Self]] [[ar:سلوك الانسان الجنسي]] [[bn:মানব যৌনাচার]] [[be:Секс]] [[be-x-old:Сэкс]] [[bg:Пол]] [[ca:Sexe]] [[cs:Pohlavnost]] [[da:sex]] [[de:Sex]] [[es:Sexo]] [[eo:Sekso]] [[fr:Comportement sexuel humain]] [[gl:Sexo]] [[ia:Sexo]] [[it:Sesso]] [[he:יחסי מין]] [[lb:Sex]] [[ml:രതിലീല]] [[nl:Seksualiteit]] [[no:Seksualitet]] [[pl:Seksualność]] [[pt:Comportamento sexual humano]] [[ru:Секс]] [[simple:Sex]] [[fi:Seksi]] [[sv:Kön]] [[uk:Секс]] [[zh:人类性行为]]