Portal:Sexuality

Welcome to the human sexuality portal

Same-sex couple holding hands

Human sexuality covers topics such as the biological basis of and the social factors affecting, sexual behavior, gender and sexual orientation.

Over time and across cultures, there have been different views on sexual ethics and different laws on what sexual behavior is permitted. Sex education programs promote reproductive health and family planning and try to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Many societies have forms of erotica or pornography and a sex industry with sex workers such as prostitutes.

Selected article

Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which the male reproductive organ enters the female reproductive tract. The two entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails. Over time, the definition of intercourse has expanded and may include other penetrative sexual acts, such as penetration of non-sexual organs (oral intercourse, anal intercourse) or by non-sexual organs (fingering, etc.). For example, penetrative acts between same-sex individuals can also be regarded as sexual intercourse.

Sexual intercourse typically plays a powerful role in human bonding, often being used solely for pleasure and leading to stronger emotional bonds. Non-penetrative sex (oral sex may or may not be penetrative) and mutual masturbation have been referred to as "outercourse", as it contrasts "outer" with "inter" (though the "inter" in "intercourse" means between two beings rather than being inside or outside of the body), but may also be among the sexual acts contributing to human bonding and considered intercourse. Despite strict definitions of sex, in the context of sexual intimacy (such as ones relating to "technical virginity"), it can be taken to mean any mutual genital stimulation (i.e. all forms of intercourse and outercourse). As with most forms of sexual interaction, individuals are at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and thus safe sex practises are advised.

Random picture

Did you know...

• ... that the fictional Document 12-571-3570 was a hoax that purported to describe sex experiments done in space?
• ... that Narciso Bassols founded Mexico's first systematic sex education program while Secretary of Public Education?
• ... that homosexuality has been labeled by some communists as a product of bourgeois decadence?
  More...

Topics

Related portals