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: ''This article is about the issues and phenomena pertaining to human sexual function and behavior. For information about sexual activities and practices, see the article [[human sexual behavior]]. For information on animal sexuality see [[Animal sexuality]]. For information specifically dealing with adolescents see [[Adolescent sexuality]].''
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'''Human sexuality''' refers to the expression of sexual sensation and related intimacy between human beings, as well as the expression of identity through [[sex]] and as influenced by or based on sex. There are a great many forms of human sexuality ([[sexual function]]s). The '''sexuality of [[human]] beings''' comprises a broad range of behavior and processes, including the [[physiology|physiological]], [[psychology|psychological]], social, [[culture|cultural]], [[politics|political]], and [[spirituality|spiritual]] or [[religion|religious]] aspects of sex and [[human sexual behavior]]. [[Philosophy]], particularly [[ethics]] and the study of [[morality]], as well as [[theology]], also address the subject. In almost any historical era or culture, the arts, including literary and visual arts, as well as popular culture, present a substantial portion of a given society's views on sexuality. In most societies and legal jurisdictions, there are [[law|legal]] bounds on what sexual behavior is permitted. Sexuality varies across the cultures and regions of the world, and has continually changed throughout history.
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A large variety of books, educational websites, and local education/support/social organizations exist for various forms of sexuality.
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== Scope of human sexuality ==
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The term ''human sexuality'' covers a very wide range including:
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* The [[physiology]] (or actual [[biology]]) of human sexuality, and sexually-related aspects of how the [[human body|body]] works.
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* Who and what people are sexually attracted to. ''([[Sexual orientation]])''
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* How we see ourselves, which may differ from the physical form we have, ie, personal [[Gender identity|identity]]. ''([[Intersex]], [[transsexual]])
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* How we come to choose the sexual choices we make. ''([[Environment, choice, and sexual orientation]])''
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* How humans act in seeking [[sexual activity]], and with sexual partners, and the scope of sexually oriented behaviours. ''([[Human sexual behavior]])''
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* The [[psychology|psychological]] significance of sex, which may be related to its [[emotion|emotional]] effects, its [[physiology|physiological]] effects, or tied up with other psychological aspects, such as [[Power (sociology)|power]], [[control]], or the need for [[security]].
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* Sex and its relationship to social structure, thus sex within [[marriage]], [[religion]], [[morality]] and the [[law]].
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* Arts and media [[depiction of sexuality]].
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* [[Sex education]].
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* Social [[norm]]s, [[tradition]]s and [[ritual]]s related to sexuality.
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* Understanding of sexual activity outside those norms. ''(see [[Paraphilia]])''
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* How [[society]] [[Criminal justice system|judges]] where lines are to be drawn, what constitutes unacceptable conduct, who is vulnerable to its [[sexual abuse|abuse]], and how they are protected or violators dealt with.
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* Research into human sexuality. ''(such as the [[Kinsey Reports]])''
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* [[Sexual positions]]
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* [[Safe sex]]
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== Physiological aspects ==
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Human sexuality can be influenced by hormonal changes in the development of the [[fetus]] during [[pregnancy]]. Some hypothesize that manner of expression is largely because of genetic predisposition. Others hypothesize it is because of personal experimentation in early life, and thus the establishment of preferences. A less divisive approach recognizes that both factors may have a mutual role to play. [[Human physiology]] and gender makes certain forms of sexual expression possible.
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[[Sexual dysfunction]] addresses a variety of biological circumstances whereby human [[sexual function]] is impaired. These manifestations can be in the form of [[libido]] diminution or performance limitations. Both male and female can suffer from libido reduction, which can have roots in [[stress (medicine)|stress]], loss of intimacy, distraction or derive from other physiological conditions.
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Performance limitations may most often affect the male in the form of [[erectile dysfunction]]. Causes of this may derive from various forms of disease pathology including [[cardiovascular disease]], which can reduce penile blood flow along with supply of blood to various parts of the body. Moreover environmental stressors such as prolonged exposure to [[noise health effects|elevated sound levels]] or [[over-illumination]] can also induce cardiovascular changes especially if exposure is chronic.
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Sexual behavior can be a dangerous [[disease vector]]. [[Safe sex]] and [[monogamy]] are relevant [[harm reduction]] philosophies.
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== Social aspects ==
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Human sexuality can also be understood as part of the social life of humans, governed by implied rules of behavior and the [[status quo]]. Thus, it is claimed, sexuality influences social [[norms]] and society in turn influences the manner in which sexuality can be expressed. Since the invention of the [[mass media]], things such as movies and advertising have given sexuality even more ability to shape the environments in which we live. Some see sexuality as distilled (often into [[stereotypes]]) and then repeatedly expressed in commercialized forms.
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[[Gender identity]] is an aspect of human sexuality that can be affected by one's social environment, and differerent social environments can have specific attributes they associate with each sex, such as certain types of dress, colors, behaviors. A common example in Western media could be the portrayal of a little boy in blue shorts and a white T-shirt playing with a toy truck, while a girl is shown in a pink dress playing with a doll.
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== Society and politics ==
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=== Sex education ===
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[[Sex education]] is the introduction of sexual topics within an educational context. Almost all western countries have some form of sex education, but the nature varies widely. In some countries (such as Australia and much of Europe) "age-appropriate" sex education often begins in pre-school, whereas other countries (notably the USA) leave sex education to the teenage years and even the late teenage years. Sex education covers a whole range of topics from "where do babies come from?", [[contraception]], [[sexual abstinence|abstinence]], signs of sexual diseases, and the social and psychological implications of sexual relationships.
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== Cultural and psychiatric aspects ==
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[[Human sexual behavior]] in most individuals is typically influenced, or heavily affected by [[norms]] from the culture in which the individual lives. Examples of such norms are prohibitions on [[sexual intercourse]] before [[marriage]], or against homosexual sexualities, or other activities, because the [[religion]] to which the individual's culture adheres forbids such activities (see [[taboo]]). Sometimes, if not most times, such culturally induced behaviors do not reflect the natural sexual inclinations of the individual.
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Those who wish to express a dissident sexuality are often forced to form [[sub-culture]]s within the main culture due to various forms of oppression or repression. In other cases, forms of sexuality may develop into a [[Sexual fetishism|fetish]] or alternately develop as a form of psychiatric [[mental illness|disorder]] or [[paraphilia]].
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== Study of sexuality ==
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In contemporary academia, sexuality is studied in the fields of [[sexology]] and [[gender and sexuality studies]], among many other fields.
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==See also ==
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{{seealso|Non-human animal sexuality}}
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* '''[[Sexology]]''' (the study of sex)
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** [[History of sex]]
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** [[Homophobia]]
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** [[Homosexuality and psychology]]
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** [[Eroticism]]
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** [[Paraphilia]]s and [[Sexual fetishism|fetish]]es (Some may be considered [[sex crime]]s in various [[jurisdiction]]s).
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** [[Virgin|Virginity]]
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* '''[[Sex organ]]s'''
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** Male — [[Penis]] (notably the [[foreskin]] and [[glans]]), [[Testicle]]s, [[Prostate]]
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** Female — [[Vulva]] (notably the [[Clitoris]]), [[Vagina]], [[Uterus]], [[Fallopian tube]]s, [[Ovary|Ovaries]]
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* '''Male reproductive''' [[physiology]]:
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** [[Spermatogenesis]]
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** [[Erection]]
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** [[Ejaculation]]
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* '''Female reproductive''' [[physiology]]:
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** [[Menstruation]] and [[Premenstrual stress syndrome|PMS]]
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** [[Pregnancy]]
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** [[Childbirth]]
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** [[Lactation]]
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* '''[[Genital modification and mutilation]]''' are practiced for a variety of reasons, including medical and socio-cultural. This area is often controversial.
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** [[Castration]]: the removal of some or all of male external sexual organs, practice often for punitive purposes, or cultural reasons
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** [[Sterilization (surgical procedure)|Sterilization]], the surgical modification of sexual-reproductive organs to prevent [[fertility]]
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** [[Male circumcision]] (often simply, ''circumcision'')
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*** [[Foreskin restoration]]
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** [[Female circumcision]] (also known as ''female genital mutiliation'')
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* '''Related [[medical]] fields'''
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** [[Andrology]]
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** [[Endocrinology]]
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** [[Gynaecology]]
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** [[Obstetrics]]
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** [[Urology]]
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* '''Sexual development'''
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** [[Child sexuality]]
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** [[Adolescent sexuality]]
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** [[Puberty]]
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** [[Sexuality in older age]]
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** [[Physical attractiveness]]
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** [[Penis enlargement]]
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* '''[[Sexual dimorphism]]'''
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* '''[[Sexual orientation]]'''
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** [[Heterosexuality]]
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** [[Homosexuality]]
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** [[Bisexuality]]
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** [[Asexuality]]
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* '''[[Paraphilia]]'''
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** [[Pederasty]]
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** [[Pedophilia]]
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* '''Sexual lifestyles'''
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** [[Celibacy]]
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** Lifelong [[monogamy]]
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** [[Serial monogamy]]
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** [[Polyamory]]
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** [[Polyfidelity]]
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** [[Promiscuity|Casual sexual activity]]
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* '''[[Sexually transmitted disease]]s'''
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** [[Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome|Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome]]([[AIDS]]) — Caused by [[HIV]]
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** [[Herpes simplex virus|Herpes]]
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** [[Syphilis]]
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** [[Gonorrhea]]
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** [[Genital wart]]s
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** [[Crab louse|Crab lice]]
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** [[Hepatitis]]
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* '''[[Human sexual behavior|Sexual behavior]] (sexual acts & practices) and directly-related topics'''
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** '''The Basics'''
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*** [[Safer sex]]
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*** [[Sexual arousal]]
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*** [[Seduction]]
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**** [[Cruising for sex]]
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**** [[Flirting]]
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*** [[Foreplay]]
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**** [[Kiss|Kissing]]
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**** [[Petting]]
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*** [[Erogenous zone]]
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*** [[Eroticism]]
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*** [[List of sexual slang]]
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*** [[Sexual intercourse]]
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**** [[Anal sex]]
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**** [[Gliding action]]
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**** [[Sexual intercourse|Vaginal Sex]]
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**** [[List of sex positions]]
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**** [[Vanilla sex]]
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*** [[Autoeroticism]]
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**** [[Masturbation]]
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***** [[Anal masturbation]]
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*** [[Mutual masturbation]]
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*** [[Oral sex]]
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**** [[Cunnilingus]]
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**** [[Fellatio]]
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**** [[Rimming]]
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**** [[Felching]]
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**** [[Tea bagging]]
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**** [[Snowballing (sexual practice)|Snowballing]]
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*** [[Outercourse]]
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*** [[Opposite-Gender sexual practices]]
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*** [[Same-Gender sexual practices]]
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*** [[Casual sex]]
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*** [[Dirty Talk]]
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**** [[Cyber sex]]
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**** [[Phone sex]]
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*** [[Lingerie]] (erotic clothing)
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*** [[Makeup sex]]
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*** [[Pornography]]
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*** [[Premarital sex]]
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*** [[Promiscuity]]
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*** [[Sexual fantasy]]
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** '''Alternative/explorative sexual activities'''
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*** [[Nyotaimori]]
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*** [[Penis enlargement]]
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**** [[Jelq]]ing
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*** [[Pegging (sexual practice)|Pegging]]
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*** [[Fisting]] and [[handballing]]
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*** [[Public sex]]
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*** [[Sexual roleplaying]]
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*** [[Ageplay]]
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*** [[Cross dressing]]
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*** [[Sensual massage]]
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*** [[Wax play]]
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*** [[Sex toys]]
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**** [[Vibrator (senual)|Vibrator]]s
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**** [[Dildo]]s
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**** [[Strap-on dildo]]s
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**** [[Sybian]]s
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**** [[Butt-plug]]s
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**** [[Sexual lubricant]]s
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**** [[Sex dolls]]
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**** [[Nipple clamp]]s
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**** [[Anal beads]]
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***** [[Fifi]]
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***** [[Fleshlight]]s
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**** [[Cock-ring]]s
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**** [[Penis sleeve]]s
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**** [[Penis extension]]s
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**** [[Ben wah balls]]
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**** [[Kegel exercisers]]
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*** [[Group sex]]
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**** [[Swinging]]
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**** [[Gangbang]]ing
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**** [[Orgies]]
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**** [[Ménage à trois|Ménages à trois]] (threesomes)
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*** [[BDSM]]
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**** [[List of BDSM organizations]]
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**** [[List of BDSM equipment]]
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**** [[Bondage (BDSM)|Bondage]]
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**** [[List of bondage positions]]
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**** [[Erotic spanking]]
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**** [[Sadism and Masochism]] (S&M)
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**** [[Masochism]]
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**** [[Discipline]]
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**** [[Domination and submission]]
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**** [[Impact play]]
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**** [[Spanking]]
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**** [[Flogging]]
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**** [[Paddle (spanking)|Paddling]]
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**** [[Caning]]
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*** [[Body modification]]
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*** [[Exhibitionism]]
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*** Fetishism or [[Sexual fetishism]]
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**** [[Crush fetish]] and [[Crush film]]s
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**** [[Erotic electrostimulation]]
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***** [[Stereostim]]
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**** [[Foot fetishism]]
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**** [[Leather fetishism]]
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**** [[Rubber fetishism]]
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**** [[Transvestic fetishism]]
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*** [[Frotteurism|Frottage]]
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*** [[Kinky sex]]
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*** [[Modern primitive]]
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*** [[Paraphilia]]
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*** [[Perversion]]
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*** [[Play piercing]]
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*** [[Polyamory]]
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*** [[Statuephilia]]
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*** [[Tribadism]]
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*** [[Voyeurism]]
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* '''Socio-cultural aspects'''
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** [[Casting couch]]
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** [[Club wear]]
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** [[Erotica]]
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** [[Pornography]]
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** [[Prostitution]]
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*** [[Male prostitute|Male prostitution]]
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** [[Sex in advertising]]
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** [[Nightclubs]], [[sex club]]s, and [[swing club]]s
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** [[Sex scandal]]s
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** [[Sexual morality]]
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** [[Sexual slang]]
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** [[Stereotypes]]
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** [[Sexism]]: generally, a form of discrimination based on gender, which may or may not be directly related to views on sexuality or sexual behavior ''per se''.
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** [[Situational sexual behavior]]
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*** [[Harem effect]]
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*** [[Prison sexuality]]
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* '''Religious aspects'''
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** [[Mythology of same-sex love]]
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** [[Tantric sex|Tantra]]
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** [[Kama sutra]]
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** [[Consecrated virgin]]s
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* '''[[Sex crime]]s and crime-related sexual topics'''
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** [[Sex and crime]]
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** [[Rape]] or sexual assault
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** [[Sexual harassment]]
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** [[Sexual abuse]] and [[child sexual abuse]]
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** Various [[paraphilia]]s/[[Sexual fetishism|fetishes]] (legality varying by [[jurisdiction]])
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** [[Pornography]] (legality varying by [[jurisdiction]] and type and audience)
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** [[Incest]]
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** [[Bestiality]]
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** [[Prison sexuality]]
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** [[Conjugal visit]]
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** [[Fifi]]
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* '''Sex and the occult'''
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** [[Sex magic]]
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* '''Other related issues'''
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** [[Abortion]]
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** [[Age of consent]]
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** [[Beauty]]
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** [[Birth control]]
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** [[Contraception]]
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** [[Feminism]]
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** [[Gender paradigm]]
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** [[Love]]
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** [[Marriage]]
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** [[Psychoanalysis]]
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** [[Reproductive health]]
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** [[Safer sex]]
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** [[Sapiosexual]]ity
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** [[Sex segregation]]
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** [[Misogyny]]
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** [[Pansexual]]
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** [[Pansexuality]]
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** [[Service-oriented]]
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** [[Seven Minutes In Heaven]]
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** [[Sex assignment]]
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==Papers==
  
==Papers==
   
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* Schmitt, D., et. al. (2003). Universal sex differences in the desire for sexual variety: Tests from 52 nations, 6 continents, and 13 islands. ''[[Journal of Personality and Social Psychology]]'', 85, 85-104. [http://www.bradley.edu/academics/las/psy/pdfs/schmitt%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.etal.2003.jpsp.pdf Full text]
  
* Schmitt, D., et. al. (2003). Universal sex differences in the desire for sexual variety: Tests from 52 nations, 6 continents, and 13 islands. ''[[Journal of Personality and Social Psychology]]'', 85, 85-104. [http://www.bradley.edu/academics/las/psy/pdfs/schmitt%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.etal.2003.jpsp.pdf Full text]
   
−
* Schmitt, D.P, Shackelford, T.K., Duntely, J., Tooke, W., Buss, D.M., Fisher, M.L., Lavallee, M., & Vasey, P. (2002). Is there an early-30's peak in female sexual desire? Cross-sectional evidence from the United States and Canada. ''[[The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality]]'', 11, 1-18. [http://www.bradley.edu/academics/las/psy/pdfs/Schmittetal-2002-SexyPeak.pdf Full text]
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* Schmitt, D.P, Shackelford, T.K., Duntely, J., Tooke, W., Buss, D.M., Fisher, M.L., Lavallee, M., & Vasey, P. (2002). Is there an early-30's peak in female sexual desire? Cross-sectional evidence from the United States and Canada. ''[[Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality]]'', 11, 1-18. [http://www.bradley.edu/academics/las/psy/pdfs/Schmittetal-2002-SexyPeak.pdf Full text]
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== External links ==
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* [[Robert T. Francoeur|Francoeur, Robert T.]] (ed.), [[International Encyclopedia of Sexuality|The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality]] [http://www2.rz.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/IES/BEGIN.HTM full text]
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* [[Erwin J. Haeberle|Haeberle, Erwin J.]], [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/SEN/INDEX.HTM ''Human Sexuality: An Encyclopedia. Edited by Erwin J. Haeberle.
  +
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Original editors: Vern L. Bullough and Bonnie Bullough''] [full text]
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* Janssen, D. F., [http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/GESUND/ARCHIV/GUS/INDEXATLAS.HTM ''Growing Up Sexually. Volume I. World Reference Atlas''] [full text]
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* [http://hmsx.sfsu.edu/ Program in Human Sexuality Studies]
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* [http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/ National Sexuality Resource Center]
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* [http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/MagWebpage.cfm?SID=BDE2E164889DEC73AC52C168F5854AAC&DSN=nsrc_dsn&Page=175 American Sexuality Magazine]
  +
* [http://www.arhp.org/ Association of Reproductive Health Professionals]
  +
* [http://www.uvm.edu/~dhowell/EBS/History_of_Surveys_of_Sexual_Behavior1.pdf History of Surveys of Sexual Behavior] from [http://www.uvm.edu/~dhowell/EBS/ Encyclopedia of Behavioral Statistics]
  +
* [http://www.jhuccp.org Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs (JHUCCP)] creates behavior change communication programs related to Reproductive Health in developing countries.
  +
* [http://db.jhuccp.org/popinform/basic.html POPLINE] is a searchable database of the world's reproductive health literature.
  +
* [http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/bhcArticles.nsf/pages/Sex_education_preschoolers?OpenDocument Sex education - preschoolers]
  +
* [http://www.psp-one.com Private Sector Partnerships] USAID project focused on increasing the private sector's role in providing high-quality health products and services in developing countries.
  +
* [http://www.asiasrc.org The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality]
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* [http://www.sexualityinstitute.org The Sexuality and Rights Institute]
  +
* [http://www.sebringsil.com/sex21st.htm Sex and Sexuality in the 21st Century:How and Why We Got There]
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This article traces a series of issues related to
  +
sexuality and changing values regarding sexuality from post-WWII to the present.
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  +
  +
  +
; Surveys
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* [http://www.artdawn.com/2006/09/survey-for-human-sexual-desire.html NEW Survey about Sexual Desire] The sexual desire as a significant aspect of the Human Sexual Behavior
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[[Category:Human sexuality | *]]
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[[Category:Sexuality | *]]
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<!--
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[[bar:Sexualidädt]]
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[[bs:Seksualnost]]
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[[bg:Сексуалност]]
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[[ca:Sexualitat]]
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[[da:Seksualitet]]
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[[de:Sexualität]]
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[[es:Sexualidad]]
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[[eo:Sekseco]]
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[[fa:جنسیت]]
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[[fr:Sexualité humaine]]
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[[fur:Sessualitât umane]]
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[[ko:성문제]]
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[[hr:Seksualnost]]
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[[he:מיניות]]
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[[mk:Сексуалност]]
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[[nl:Seksualiteit]]
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[[ja:人間の性]]
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[[no:Seksualitet]]
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[[pt:Sexualidade]]
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[[ru:Человеческая сексуальность]]
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[[sk:Ľudská sexualita]]
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[[sr:Људска сексуалност]]
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[[fi:Seksuaalisuus]]
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[[sv:Sexualitet]]
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[[vi:Tình dục]]
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--->
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{{enWP|Human sexuality}}

Latest revision as of 07:54, 26 March 2009

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This article is about the issues and phenomena pertaining to human sexual function and behavior. For information about sexual activities and practices, see the article human sexual behavior. For information on animal sexuality see Animal sexuality. For information specifically dealing with adolescents see Adolescent sexuality.

Human sexuality refers to the expression of sexual sensation and related intimacy between human beings, as well as the expression of identity through sex and as influenced by or based on sex. There are a great many forms of human sexuality (sexual functions). The sexuality of human beings comprises a broad range of behavior and processes, including the physiological, psychological, social, cultural, political, and spiritual or religious aspects of sex and human sexual behavior. Philosophy, particularly ethics and the study of morality, as well as theology, also address the subject. In almost any historical era or culture, the arts, including literary and visual arts, as well as popular culture, present a substantial portion of a given society's views on sexuality. In most societies and legal jurisdictions, there are legal bounds on what sexual behavior is permitted. Sexuality varies across the cultures and regions of the world, and has continually changed throughout history.

A large variety of books, educational websites, and local education/support/social organizations exist for various forms of sexuality.

Scope of human sexuality

The term human sexuality covers a very wide range including:

Physiological aspects

Human sexuality can be influenced by hormonal changes in the development of the fetus during pregnancy. Some hypothesize that manner of expression is largely because of genetic predisposition. Others hypothesize it is because of personal experimentation in early life, and thus the establishment of preferences. A less divisive approach recognizes that both factors may have a mutual role to play. Human physiology and gender makes certain forms of sexual expression possible.

Sexual dysfunction addresses a variety of biological circumstances whereby human sexual function is impaired. These manifestations can be in the form of libido diminution or performance limitations. Both male and female can suffer from libido reduction, which can have roots in stress, loss of intimacy, distraction or derive from other physiological conditions.

Performance limitations may most often affect the male in the form of erectile dysfunction. Causes of this may derive from various forms of disease pathology including cardiovascular disease, which can reduce penile blood flow along with supply of blood to various parts of the body. Moreover environmental stressors such as prolonged exposure to elevated sound levels or over-illumination can also induce cardiovascular changes especially if exposure is chronic.

Sexual behavior can be a dangerous disease vector. Safe sex and monogamy are relevant harm reduction philosophies.

Social aspects

Human sexuality can also be understood as part of the social life of humans, governed by implied rules of behavior and the status quo. Thus, it is claimed, sexuality influences social norms and society in turn influences the manner in which sexuality can be expressed. Since the invention of the mass media, things such as movies and advertising have given sexuality even more ability to shape the environments in which we live. Some see sexuality as distilled (often into stereotypes) and then repeatedly expressed in commercialized forms.

Gender identity is an aspect of human sexuality that can be affected by one's social environment, and differerent social environments can have specific attributes they associate with each sex, such as certain types of dress, colors, behaviors. A common example in Western media could be the portrayal of a little boy in blue shorts and a white T-shirt playing with a toy truck, while a girl is shown in a pink dress playing with a doll.

Society and politics

Sex education

Sex education is the introduction of sexual topics within an educational context. Almost all western countries have some form of sex education, but the nature varies widely. In some countries (such as Australia and much of Europe) "age-appropriate" sex education often begins in pre-school, whereas other countries (notably the USA) leave sex education to the teenage years and even the late teenage years. Sex education covers a whole range of topics from "where do babies come from?", contraception, abstinence, signs of sexual diseases, and the social and psychological implications of sexual relationships.

Cultural and psychiatric aspects

Human sexual behavior in most individuals is typically influenced, or heavily affected by norms from the culture in which the individual lives. Examples of such norms are prohibitions on sexual intercourse before marriage, or against homosexual sexualities, or other activities, because the religion to which the individual's culture adheres forbids such activities (see taboo). Sometimes, if not most times, such culturally induced behaviors do not reflect the natural sexual inclinations of the individual.

Those who wish to express a dissident sexuality are often forced to form sub-cultures within the main culture due to various forms of oppression or repression. In other cases, forms of sexuality may develop into a fetish or alternately develop as a form of psychiatric disorder or paraphilia.

Study of sexuality

In contemporary academia, sexuality is studied in the fields of sexology and gender and sexuality studies, among many other fields.

See also

See also: Non-human animal sexuality
  • Religious aspects
    • Mythology of same-sex love
    • Tantra
    • Kama sutra
    • Consecrated virgins
  • Sex and the occult
    • Sex magic



Papers

  • Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). Sexual Strategies Theory: An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Mating. Psychological Review, 100, 204-232. Full text
  • Hill, S. E. & Reeve, H. K. (2004). Mating Games: the Evolution of Human Mating Transactions. Behavioral Ecology, 15, 748-756. Full text
  • Marlowe, F.W. (2003). The Mating System of Foragers in the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample. Cross-Cultural Research, 37, 282-306. Full text
  • Roberts S.C., Little A.C., Gosling L.M., Perrett D., Jones B.C., Carter V., Penton-Voak I.S. & Petrie M. MHC-heterozygosity and human facial attractiveness. Evolution and Human Behavior 26, 213-226. Full text
  • Schmitt, D.P., Alcalay, L., Allik, J., Angleiter, A., Ault, L., Austers, I., et al. (2004). Patterns and universals of mate poaching across 53 nations: The effects of sex, culture, and personality on romantically attracting another person's partner. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86, 560-584. Full text
  • Schmitt, D.P, Shackelford, T.K., Duntely, J., Tooke, W., Buss, D.M., Fisher, M.L., Lavallee, M., & Vasey, P. (2002). Is there an early-30's peak in female sexual desire? Cross-sectional evidence from the United States and Canada. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 11, 1-18. Full text


External links

Original editors: Vern L. Bullough and Bonnie Bullough] [full text]

This article traces a series of issues related to sexuality and changing values regarding sexuality from post-WWII to the present.


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