Though the similarities between heterosexual and same-sex sexual behavior are many, there are some differences. The differences have to do with frequency and types of sex­ual behaviors in which couples engage. Gay Men Gay men use a variety of sexual techniques, which refutes the stereotype that most gay men assume only one role (either passive […]

According to the Complete Manual of Sexual Positions (Stewart, 1990), there are 116 vaginal entry positions, and, in The New Joy of Sex (Comfort & Rubenstein, 1992), 112 positions are illustrated. Of course, we don’t have enough room to describe all of these positions, so we will limit this discussion to the four main positions […]

People have always wondered how much sex everyone else is having. Overall, Americans fall into three groups: those who have sexual intercourse at least twice a week (one-third); those who engage in sexual intercourse a few times a month (one-third); and those who engage in sexual intercourse a few times a year or have no […]

The majority of men enjoy having their genitals orally stimulated, and many are dis­pleased if their partners do not like to perform fellatio (Blumstein & Schwartz, 1983). In gay couples, the more oral sex occurs, the more sexually satisfied the couple is (Blumstein & Schwartz, 1983). Fellatio is the most popular sexual behavior for gay […]

In the United States, women have historically been inundated with negative messages about their vaginas—though never more so than today. Many makers of feminine pow­ders, douches, creams, jellies, and other scented items try to persuade women that their products will make the vagina smell “better” (see Sex in Real Life, “Feminine Hygiene,” in Chapter 4). […]

Oral sex, also called cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) and fellatio (oral sex on a man), has been practiced throughout history. Ancient Greek vases, 10th-century temples in India, and even 19th-century playing cards, all portrayed couples engaging in different types of oral sex. Over the years, however, there have been many taboos associated with […]

Many women (and men too) do not know exactly what to do with the penis. Does rub­bing feel good? How do men like to have their penis stroked? Will it hurt? Can some­thing break? When do men like to have their penis touched? Because of these concerns, many partners become overly cautious in touching the […]

Many men (and women too) do not know exactly what to do with the female genitals. What feels good? Rubbing? Can rubbing hurt? Can anything break? When does a woman like to have her clitoris touched? Where do women like to be touched? Men and women who worry about these questions may become overly cautious […]

Manual sex (also referred to as a “hand job”) refers to the physical caressing of the gen — ^manual sex itals during solo or partner masturbation. Generally, people think of manual sex as some — The physical caressing of the gemtais during solo or partner masturbation. thing that happens before sexual intercourse, but it has […]

It is interesting to consider how people define “foreplay.” Is foreplay all of the sexual behaviors that take place before sexual intercourse? What if sexual intercourse does­n’t occur? For the majority of heterosexuals, foreplay is often defined as everything that happens before vaginal penetration (touching, kissing, massage, oral sex, etc.). It has been viewed as […]