Chapter 13 Adult Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes For

What is normal? l l 2 Recall that “normal” is different between cultures and changes throughout history. Statistically normal – a large number of people engage in the behavior. Normal is actually a range of behaviors. Most sexual behaviors are considered normal as long as the individual does not suffer physical or psychological damage, does not harm others and the behavior doesn’t interfere with daily life. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Masturbation across history and culture (1) l l 3 Some cultures have condemned self-pleasuring (especially to the point of ejaculation in men) as being harmful to the man and/or against god’s will. Victorians forced children to wear chastity belts and metal gloves to bed and circumcision and clitoridectomy became popularized as antimasturbation prevention. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Masturbation across history and culture (2) l l l 4 J. H. Kellogg invented cornflakes to be used as an anti-masturbation breakfast food; Dr. Graham invented the graham cracker for the same reason – don’t worry; it doesn’t work. Orthodox Jews still consider it a major sin. Some cultures (e. g. followers of Egypt’s ancient god Atum) have honored masturbation, or at least accepted it as a normal behavior. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Recent attitudes l l l 5 Former U. S. Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders was fired in 1994 for suggesting that teens consider masturbation instead of premarital sexual intercourse and its health risks. Sexologists remain puzzled at the fear and anxiety roused by such a innocuous behavior. Nearly half of Americans who masturbate continue to feel guilty or wrong about it. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Who masturbates and why? l l 6 Men are more likely to begin masturbating before they begin having sexual intercourse; for women, the reverse is true. Among today’s college students, twice as many men as women report masturbating. 2/3 agree that masturbation is a natural part of life and it continues into marriage. Multiple reasons – variety, exploring one’s own sexuality, simple pleasure, learning orgasm control, tension relief…can you think of more? King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Masturbation methods l l l 7 Most men rhythmically stroke up and down the body and glans of the penis with one hand; some simultaneously stimulate their testicles. Women vary more in their methods, stimulating the clitoris, labia minora, and/or entire vulva. Only 20% or fewer insert a finger or anything else into the vagina. Women enjoy a variety of body positions, use one finger, two, whole hand or a vibrator. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Ethnic differences in behavior l l l 8 Only 40% of African-American men masturbated in the past year, while 2/3 of white and Latino men, and slightly fewer Asian. American men did. White Americans are most likely to engage in oral-genital sex; African-Americans the least likely. Latino-Americans are the group most likely to engage in anal intercourse. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Sexual fantasies l l l Women’s fantasies tend to be more romantic and emotional while men’s tend to be more explicit and visual. Most common is a fantasy of a present, former or imaginary partner. Four main categories – – – 9 – Exploratory – never-tried behaviors Intimacy – sex with a known partner Impersonal – sex with strangers Dominance-submission themes King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Fantasy sex: Its only a movie l l l 10 Although a common fantasy is to imagine having sex with someone other than your partner (replacement fantasy), it does not indicate a desire to do so in real life. Sexual fantasies are often an indicator of having a healthy sexuality. Fantasies provide a safe and private outlet for thoughts that, if actually engaged in, might be considered improper and/or illegal. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Positions for sexual intercourse l l l 11 Coitus = sexual intercourse Missionary position – woman lying face up with man on top, facing her; so named for the Christian missionaries who taught Polynesians that any other position was sinful. The woman-on-top position is most popular in cultures in which women enjoy high social status. Women are more likely to achieve orgasm during coitus in this position. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Man-on-top (missionary position) 12 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Woman-on-top 13 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Pros and cons to consider l For each position, consider – – – – 14 Is face-to-face contact important to me? Am I able to orgasm in this position? Do I reach orgasm too quickly in this position? Is this position physically comfortable? Are my hands free to touch my partner or myself? Do I feel safe and cared for in this position? How does this position feel to my partner? Has this position become routine for us? King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Man-from-behind 15 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Intercourse while sitting 16 King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Coital variations l l Not pictured is a side-by-side variation, also common. Variations are as numerous as a couple’s imagination, flexibility and strength. A recent survey of college students found that 45% of men preferred woman-on-top; 1/3 of college women also preferred that position – – 17 25% men preferred man-on-top; another 25% preferred man-from-behind 48% women preferred man-on-top; another 15% preferred man-from-behind King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Oral-genital sex l l Kissing is often our first sexual behavior; kissing during other sexual behaviors is very common. Oral sex is possible next step. Fellatio – oral stimulation of the penis – l l 18 “Giving Head” usually refers to fellatio but could be used to describe cunnilingus as well. Cunnilingus – oral stimulation of the vulva Oral sex may be part of “foreplay” or may be the preferred sexual behavior. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Cunnilingus Many women report that oral stimulation of the area around the clitoris is

Fellatio Many men find fellatio to be more intense (especially orgasm during fellatio) than

But isn’t oral sex pretty weird? l l l 21 70 -90% of sexually active teens and young adults engage in oral-genital sex. People tend to become more accepting of a sexual behavior when they learn that it is not abnormal – remember how you first felt when you learned about “French” kissing? Some people worry about cleanliness – people who are healthy and bathe regularly pose no risk. Your mouth carries more germs than your genitals do. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

What about “ 69? ” l l l 22 “ 69” in which both partners pleasure each other orally at the same time is not as common as rumors would lead one to believe; many individuals prefer to focus on either giving or receiving the pleasures of oral sex. Giving oral sex can represent moments of extreme intimacy, to be savored. Receiving oral sex can be an opportunity to let your partner give you a gift. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Why anal sex? l l The anus has numerous nerve endings and is very sensitive to touch; the anal sphincter muscle undergoes rhythmic contractions during orgasm in both men and women. Anal sex can include – – – 23 Anal intercourse (penis in anus) Use of fingers or dildos (insertion or caressing) Rimming (oral-anal) King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Who has anal sex? l l 24 Among heterosexuals, 20 -26% report having tried anal intercourse (10% have engaged in it within the past year), but numbers may be higher. This behavior is stigmatized among many heterosexuals because many people think of it as a “gay” behavior. About 75% of gay males have engaged in anal intercourse within the past year; not all gay men enjoy anal sexual behaviors. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Is anal sex safe? l Many people like the “tighter” sensation, but this means tissues must be forced to stretch. – – l Anal intercourse is a high risk behavior for HIV because it is likely that thin rectal membranes will tear a little, allowing infected semen into the bloodstream. Only infected fluids can infect you. – 25 Be sensitive to your partner’s response. Lubrication is important for comfort and safety. Condoms tear more often during anal intercourse than during vaginal intercourse. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

Which behaviors are preferred among heterosexuals aged 18 - 44? l l 26 l Vaginal sex – 1 st most preferred by all groups. Receiving oral sex – 2 nd for whites, Asian Americans and Latina women; 3 rd for African Americans and Latino men. Watching partner undress – 2 nd for African Americans and Latino men; 3 rd for whites, Latina women and Asian Americans. Giving oral sex – ranked 4 th by all groups. Anal sex was ranked low by all groups. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall

The sexually healthy person l l Despite the ratings on the previous slide, there is wide variance between individuals; honor yourself as an individual. The sexually healthy person – – 27 Feels comfortable with his or her sexuality; feeling fulfillment from his/her relationships and behaviors. Feels free to choose whether or not he or she wishes to try any of a variety of behaviors; being able to say “no” when appropriate is very healthy. King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall