Mating strategies overlap with reproductive strategies, which encompass a broader set of behaviors involving the timing of reproduction and the trade-off between quantity and quality of offspring (see life history theory). In evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology, human mating strategies are a set of behaviors used by individuals to attract, select, and retain mates. In different cultures and countries, various sexual activities may be lawful or illegal in regards to the age, gender, marital status or other factors of the participants, or otherwise contrary to social norms or generally accepted sexual morals. If sexual activity takes place under force or duress, it is considered rape or another form of sexual assault. Sexual activity that is consensual is sexual activity in which both or all participants agree to take part and are of the age that they can consent. 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 in the autoerotic case due to the isolation and lack of assistance in the event of a problem. These include erotic asphyxiation and self-bondage. Some non-conventional autoerotic practices can be dangerous. The object of desire can be shoes, boots, lingerie, clothing, leather or rubber items. įetishism can take many forms, including the desire for certain body parts ( partialism) such as breasts, navels, or feet. Sexual activity can be regarded as conventional or as alternative, involving, for example, fetishism or BDSM activities. The relationships can be ones of marriage, intimate partners, casual sex partners or anonymous. Sexual activity can be classified into the gender and sexual orientation of the participants, as well as by the relationship of the participants. Autoerotic sexual activity can involve use of dildos, vibrators, butt plugs, and other sex toys, though these devices can also be used with a partner. If there are more than two participants in a sex act, it may be referred to as group sex. Penetrative sex between two people may be described as sexual intercourse, but definitions vary. If two or more people are involved, they may engage in vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex or mutual masturbation. Acts which involve one person (also called autoeroticism) may include sexual fantasy or masturbation. The practices may be preceded by or consist solely of foreplay. Sexual activity can be classified in a number of ways. 10.3 Minimum age of sexual activity (age of consent).8.3 Gender roles and the expression of sexuality.
3 Stages of physiological arousal during sexual stimulation.Two examples that are criminal offences in most jurisdictions are sexual assault and sexual activity with a person below the local age of consent. Some sexual activities are illegal either universally or in some countries or subnational jurisdictions, while some are considered contrary to the norms of certain societies or cultures. In some cultures, sexual activity is considered acceptable only within marriage, while premarital and extramarital sex are taboo. Human sexual activity has sociological, cognitive, emotional, behavioural and biological aspects these include personal bonding, sharing emotions and the physiology of the reproductive system, sex drive, sexual intercourse and sexual behaviour in all its forms. Sexual activity may follow sexual arousal. Sexual activity may also include conduct and activities which are intended to arouse the sexual interest of another or enhance the sex life of another, such as strategies to find or attract partners ( courtship and display behaviour), or personal interactions between individuals (for instance, foreplay or BDSM). Sexual activity usually results in sexual arousal and physiological changes in the aroused person, some of which are pronounced while others are more subtle. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) to acts with another person (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-penetrative sex, oral sex, etc.) in varying patterns of frequency, for a wide variety of reasons. Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality.