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The missionary position or man-on-top position is generally a sex position in which a woman lies on her back and a man lies on top of her while they face each other and engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual activity.^[1]^[2]^[3] Though commonly associated with aspects of heterosexual sexual activity, the sex position is also used by gay and lesbian couples.^[2]

The missionary position may involve sexual penetration or non-penetrative sex (for example, intercrural sex), and its penile-vaginal aspect is an example of ventro-ventral (front-to-front) reproductive activity.^[4] Variations of the position allow varying degrees of vaginal tightness, clitoral stimulation, depth of penetration, participation on the part of the woman, and the likelihood and speed of orgasm.

It is commonly believed that the term missionary position arose in connection to Christian missionaries, who supposedly taught that the position was the only proper way to engage in sexual intercourse. However, the term probably originated from Alfred Kinsey's Sexual Behavior in the Human Male through a confluence of misunderstandings and misinterpretations of historical documents.^[5]^[6] Tuscans refer to the position as the Angelic position while some Arabic-speaking groups call it the manner of serpents.^[7]

The missionary position is often preferred by couples who enjoy its romantic qualities afforded by copious skin-to-skin contact and opportunities to look into each other's eyes and kiss and caress each other. The position is also believed to be a good position for reproduction.^[8] During sexual activity, the missionary position allows the man to take charge of the rhythm and depth of pelvic thrusting. It is also possible for the woman to thrust against him by moving her hips or pushing her feet against the bed, or squeeze him closer with her arms or legs. The position is less suitable for late stages of pregnancy, or when it is desired for the woman to have greater control over rhythm and depth of penetration.

Etymology and other usage

Before the release of Alfred Kinsey's work, the missionary position was known by several names, including the matrimonial, the Mama-Papa position, the English-American position, and the male superior position.^[9] In 1948, Kinsey published the male volume of the Kinsey Reports, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. He described the American preference for the position and called it the English-American position. Discussing Malinowski's The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia, Kinsey wrote, "It will be recalled that Malinowski (1929) records the nearly universal use of a totally different position among the Trobrianders ... [and] ... that caricatures of the English-American position are performed around ... campfires, to the great amusement of the natives who refer to the position as the 'missionary position.'"^[9] To date, lexicographers and sexologists have not found use of the term missionary position before Kinsey.^[10]

In 2001, Robert Priest examined the origins of the term and concluded that Kinsey had confused several factors in accidentally coining the term.^[9] First, according to Malinowski, Trobrianders played and sang mocking songs under the full moon, and not around a campfire. In Sexual Behaviors, Kinsey wrote that the Trobrianders mocked face-to-face man-on-top woman-below intercourse, but does not give context. He mentioned that the position was learned from "white traders, planters, or officials", but does not discuss missionaries. Kinsey also recalled that the medieval Catholic Church taught the position, and upon seeing the natives mocking it, assumed that missionaries had taught it to them. Finally, Malinowski wrote that he saw an engaged Trobriand couple holding hands and leaning against each other, which the natives described as misinari si bubunela — the missionary fashion. Upon accidentally combining these similar facts, Kinsey invented a new phrase despite believing that he was reporting an old one.^[9]

From then on, the story of the name's "origin" may have been retold until it became largely accepted, with its connection to Kinsey and Malinowski having faded. Writers began using the expression for sexual intercourse in the late 1960s, and as Alex Comfort's bestseller The Joy of Sex (1972) and the Oxford English Dictionary (1976) spread the term missionary position, it gradually replaced older names.^[11] By the 1990s, it had spread to other languages: Missionarsstellung (German), postura del misionero (Spanish), missionarishouding (Dutch) and position du missionaire (French).^[9]

In William Shakespeare's Othello (Act 1, Scene 1), the missionary position was euphemistically called "the beast with two backs".^[12]

Variations

Though there are a number of variations and adoptions of the missionary position, the classic missionary position involves a man and a woman, with the woman lying on her back and the man on top.

Basic position

In the missionary position, a woman lies on her back with her legs comfortably spread either flat or raised toward her chest with the soles of the feet resting on the mattress. The penetrating partner approaches the woman on his knees between her spread legs; and either uses his arms to hold himself up, or lets his weight rest against her. When the woman's vagina is sufficiently lubricated, which may involve fingering her vulva or clitoris in particular, the man will level his erect penis with her vagina for penetration, and may use fingers to open the woman's labia and guide the penis in.

Inside the vagina, the man controls the force, depth, pace and rhythm of thrusts, but the woman has some control by pushing her feet and legs against the mattress and by side movements in her pelvis as well as by clutching onto and moving with her partner.^[13] A woman can increase the force of a man's thrust by moving against the man's rhythm. Some women prefer to be passive during sexual intercourse, sometimes in submission. With the penis inside the woman, the man may straddle the woman, taking the woman's legs between his (this is sometimes called the "starfish position"). This restricts further the woman's movements, and either partner can increase the tightness on the man's penis by pressing the woman's thighs together. However, this increases vaginal friction and makes thrusting more difficult.

During sexual intercourse, most women experience involuntary vaginal contractions,^[14] leading in turn to the man increasing the pace and force of thrusts as his arousal and sexual frenzy increases as he approaches orgasm; this in turn further increases the woman's vaginal contraction. After a man has achieved orgasm, he will normally collapse onto the woman and will normally not be capable of further thrusting. Some men try to control their orgasm until their female partner also orgasms, but this is not always achieved. At times, a woman can achieve orgasm after the man has ceased thrusting by contracting her vaginal muscles and with pelvic movements, or the couple may change to another position that enables the woman to continue thrusting until she has reached orgasm, such as a woman on top position.

During sexual intercourse in the missionary position, the penis is in preferential contact with the anterior wall of the vagina and the tip of the penis reaches the anterior fornix, while in the rear-entry position it is in preferential contact with the posterior wall of the vagina and probably reaches the posterior fornix.^[15]

Position of legs

A receiving woman's legs and arms are generally free to move about, though her position and movement may be constrained by the penetrating partner's weight and in some other way. A woman can adjust the position of her legs for comfort, variety and to control the angle and depth of penetration. Generally, the higher a woman's legs, the deeper is the penetration. When the legs are raised in any way, the woman has less control of the rhythm of thrusts. Also, raising the legs raises the woman's pelvis, reduces the angle of penetration, and lowers the level of clitoral stimulation.

A woman's legs can remain flat or raised toward her chest, or wrapped around the penetrating partner at various heights: at the back of the legs, at the buttocks or back or over the shoulders, in a position called the Wiener auster or Viennese oyster.^[16] In the higher leg positions the woman's legs may need some support, which may be achieved by crossing the ankles behind the partner or resting on his shoulders. She may also hold them with her hands or cross her arms around them at the knees. Some are flexible enough to cross the legs behind their heads. Alternatively, her partner may hold her legs up.^[17] Separating straight legs carry the risk of muscle pull of thigh muscles. The laying by the partner on raised legs puts excessive pressure on the woman's back.

A pillow or sex pillow (especially a firm one) can be used,^[18] to alter the depth and angle of penetration. A wedge- or ramp-shaped pillow can relieve pressure on the top person's hands and arms.^[19] Placing a pillow under the woman's buttocks can lift her pelvis—a Playboy article suggested placing it under her hips to increase pressure on the clitoris.^[20] Each of these methods can increase the depth of penetration. Raising the clitoris generally allows easier access to it in this position. Using a pillow can also help the woman arch her back and avoid backache.^[21]

In one variant, the woman may lift and slightly bend her legs, resting her feet flat on the mattress. This shortens the distance between the vagina and cervix, and may apply more friction to the area termed the G-Spot.^{[citation needed]} The woman may find this more comfortable than the standard position,^[22] and it can allow her to push against the man's thrust, giving her some control over the rhythm.^[23]

Placing the woman's legs on or over the man's shoulders provides the deepest possible penetration. This variant is sometimes called the anvil.^[24] This position aims the head of the penis at the vaginal fornix (posterior fornix). When the legs are held mid-level in this way, the penis can achieve significant depth while attempting to stimulate the G-Spot and achieving more friction on the top of its shaft.^{[citation needed]}

Viennese oyster position

The Viennese oyster position requires great flexibility from the woman to perform. The female lies on her back and moves her legs behind her head, with the groin area being completely exposed. The male partner penetrate the vagina from the top. This is a deep penetrating position and may not be suitable for men with larger than average penis size. However, in most cases, the female will not be flexible enough to achieve this position fully, and will need to stop well before the legs are behind the head. If that is the case, the male partner can help hold the legs in a comfortable position and continue on with intercourse.^[25]

Butterfly position

The woman can lie on her back with her hips on the edge of a platform such as a bed, table, kitchen bench, desk etc.^[26] while the man penetrates her while standing. The woman can move her body freely. She can dangle her legs over the edge or raise them to any height or manner mentioned above. The woman can rest her legs on the man or he can hold them or separate them. The woman has a greater ability to move her pelvis and to arch her back, and the man can raise, support or restrict the movement of her pelvis. The woman is not weighed down by the man's weight. This position, sometimes called the butterfly position, adds variety to the angle and depth of penetration and generally enables the man to withdraw and then fully thrust the penis, with faster and more forceful thrusts. The downside of this position is that the angle of penetration results in reduced clitoral stimulation, and the woman may need direct clitoral fingering, either by herself or by the man, to achieve orgasm. Alternatively, the woman may either arch her back or raise her torso onto her elbows or arms to reduce the angle and enhance clitoral stimulation. Also, prior to and after the man's orgasm, the man may need to lie down on the woman.

Riding high

In the riding high missionary variant, the man enters the woman in the normal fashion but then shifts his body up and forward toward her head. He then rocks back and forth, stimulating her clitoris with his pelvic bone, or base of his penis. This results in more consistent clitoral stimulation at the cost of a man's deep thrusting; accordingly, some men prefer to use it during only part of sex.^[27]

Anal sex, tribadism and other aspects

Penetrative anal sex may be performed on a partner in the missionary position.^[2] The legs may be raised high, with the knees drawn towards their chest, and with some sort of support (such as a pillow) under the receiver's hips for comfort and to raise the receiver's buttocks. The penetrating partner positions himself between the receiver's legs and aligns his penis with the anus for anal penetration. Instead of penetration, an active partner may perform anilingus on the partner with raised legs.

Tribadism between women may be performed in the missionary position.^[28]^[29] The practice involves women rubbing their vulvas against each other.^[30]^[31] Female couples may also engage in the missionary position while one or both partners use their fingers or sex toys for stimulation of the clitoris,^[2] other parts of the vulva, or vagina.

Perceived advantages and disadvantages

Psychological

There are many appealing psychological aspects of the missionary position. It is often regarded as a romantic position because the two partners face each other and may maintain eye contact; there is potentially a greater amount of skin-to-skin contact than in any other position; and the couple can hold each other in their arms, which can easily segue into cuddling when sex is over^{[citation needed]}. Partners may engage in other intimate contact, such as kissing, or guiding each other's hips with their hands.^[32]^[33]^[34]

At the same time, the woman needs a high level of trust in the man on top who is in a dominant position vis-a-vis the woman below. Once the man is in place, he is very difficult to dislodge without his co-operation. With the man's weight on the woman, especially on her pelvis, the man has control of the rhythm and depth of his thrusts, in the most sexually sensitive part of her body. Some women enjoy the feeling of sexual submission or of being trapped.^[35] Some women enjoy being passive and carrying the man's weight.^[36] The missionary position may also be appropriate for women who desire the feeling of being "taken" by the man and want to feel overpowered.^[37]

Physical

The missionary position is commonly used the first time a couple has sex. Thomas Stuttaford notes that it may be more comfortable to do so: "The discomfort of early penetrative sex, if there is any, is usually related to tension in the pelvic or thigh muscles and/or anxiety that has prevented the usual vaginal lubrication. Muscles of the pelvic floor are more relaxed if, initially, the missionary position is chosen and a couple of pillows are arranged under the woman's bottom so her hips are tilted upwards."^[38] The simplicity of the position makes it well-suited to the inexperienced.^[39] The Lovers' Guide states that missionary lends itself well to sex with a new partner as it is "a romantic yet fairly unadventurous sex position" that is "non-threatening and loving" and "lays neither partner open to strangeness, anxiety and unfamiliarity."^[37]

On the other hand, Sacha Tarkovsky advises women to not use the missionary position when having sex for the first time, stating, "You are not in control, and it will be more painful and you cannot do anything but lay [sic] there and take it." She recommends positions such as woman on top that allow the woman to control the speed and pressure at which she loses her hymen.^[40] However, it may not be necessary to completely forgo missionary the first time; Alphonso Sirtle suggests starting with woman on top until the hymen is torn, and then possibly switching to missionary or whatever other position is preferred.^[41]

The missionary position allows easy entry into the vagina. The man can use force and gravity to help himself in,^[42] and the position allows the woman to relax her vaginal muscles and help her partner guide his penis gently in with her hand.^[43] Suzi Godson said, "In an observational study carried out in The Netherlands, magnetic resonance imaging was used to study the male and female genitals during coitus. The images illustrate the very natural fit of the male and female genitals in [the missionary] position. The penis has the shape of a boomerang – one third of its length consists of the root of the penis – and the vaginal walls wrap snugly around it."^[38]^[44]

According to Sexual Health Resource, "The man-on-top sex positions are very good for couples who are trying to have a baby, because penetration can be very deep. If the woman holds on to her legs behind her knees and draws her thighs right back, sperm can be deposited deep in the vagina – at the neck of the womb. This provided the best chance of conception occurring."^[8] Getting Pregnant Tips notes the importance of not using too large a sex pillow while in the missionary position as it can cause the sperm to pool behind the cervix.^[45] Francoeur states that "male-above sex promotes fertility by keeping the opening of the vagina higher than the seminal pool, which, in turn, helps sperm get into the womb and find the egg."^[46] However, according to BabyCenter, "There is no evidence that any particular sexual position is more likely to lead to conception."^[47] Donnica Moore agrees, stating that while there are no scientific studies regarding the best sexual positions for reproduction, the missionary (man on top) position is typically considered optimal for conception.^[48]

Pregnancy Info states that the missionary position may become increasingly awkward for pregnant women as their belly begins to grow.^[49] The March of Dimes notes, "Positions that work before pregnancy and early in pregnancy can be uncomfortable or even unsafe at later stages of the baby's development. For example, a woman should avoid lying flat on her back after the fourth month of pregnancy, because the weight of the growing uterus puts pressure on major blood vessels."^[50] David Port states, "Beginning early in the second trimester, doctors tend to discourage pregnant women from supine exercise. And the missionary position is exactly that kind of exercise, at least if the activity lasts more than a few fleeting moments."^[51]

The deep penetration and large hip thrusts of the missionary position can cause the man to reach orgasm quickly compared to other positions, which can be problematic if the couple seeks to reach simultaneous orgasm.^[52] The male reaching orgasm first can be disruptive to sex, as 50% of penile erection is lost immediately after ejaculation,^[53] making him more likely to inadvertently slip out of the vagina, especially during the strong pelvic contractions of female orgasm. In addition to the standard methods for treating premature ejaculation, Zachary Veilleux notes that this problem can be overcome by workarounds such as changing positions frequently (which studies have shown delays male orgasm by a factor of 2-3), using lubrication to reduce friction (friction stimulates the male but is not as important in female orgasm), or switching to cunnilingus for a while when close to ejaculation, and then switching back when ejaculation is no longer imminent.^[54]

The missionary position is sometimes mocked as a plain vanilla sex position.^[55] Archer stated, "To all the sex gymnasts, this kind of banal preference looks lazy, unimaginative and uninformed," but she rebuts this by pointing out the existence of variations: "Missionary is kind of like tofu: You have to add your own flavor."^[56] Perhaps due to the ubiquity of this position, its typical role as the first position used by couples, its tendency to put the man in control of speed, tempo and depth, its ability to cause him to quickly reach orgasm, and the fact that it is literally a "male-superior" position with the man on top, missionary is sometimes associated with men who are dominating and uncreative and selfish about sex. According to Gina Ogden, "the cultural missionary position – man on top" is not conducive to romance since "If a relationship is based on authoritarian control, keeping one person on top and the other underneath, it gets old pretty fast – for both partners, really".^[57] In Women Who Love Sex, Ogden writes, "Think what will happen to the missionary position when women, en masse, opt for pleasures that stir body and soul instead of continuing to do good-girl intercourse by the book."^[58] In Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, the main character ridicules the idea of women making decisions by saying that one might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the baby.^[59]

The missionary position has potential for clitoral stimulation in several ways. Christakos assures, "This position can give the woman plenty of clitoral stimulation if the man leans forward thus rubbing his pelvic bone against her clitoris."^[60] Emily Queenie Chung notes, "Also, this position is the easiest for a woman to stimulate her clitoris manually."^[61] Sexual Health Resource notes that also "the man can reach under and stimulate his partner using his fingers on her clitoris" although "the man has limited use of his hands" (presumably this would depend on the variant of the position used and whether the man's hands are occupied holding himself up).^[8]

Sexual activity in the missionary position, as a form of physical exercise, may be slightly more vigorous for the man than in other positions. A study conducted by Bohlen et al. found that "man-on-top coitus required more metabolic expenditure than woman-on-top coitus" and that the heart rate during man-on-top sex was higher than in self-stimulation, partner stimulation, or woman-on-top.^[62] In contrast, one study showed that there was no difference in heart rate or blood pressure when comparing these two basic positions, while another showed only a minor decrease in oxygen consumption or exertion with the 'man-on-bottom' technique during orgasm.^[63]

History

Indian couple in the missionary position

The position has been used at least for millennia if not longer since it is also used by the great apes,^[64]^[65] as well as other primates.^[66] Robert Francoeur notes that evidence of the missionary position's use appears in ancient pottery and art in the Fertile Crescent as well as in the art of Early Greeks, Romans, Peruvians, Indians, Chinese and Japanese.^[46] The majority of the positions described in the Kama Sutra involve the woman lying on her back with her legs in a variety of positions.^[67] According to Canongate, ancient art shows missionary as being less popular than woman-on-top positions in Ur, Greece, Rome, Peru, India, China and Japan.^[68] But Francoeur states that the ancient Chinese preferred male-on-top because of their belief that males are born face down and women face up. Kagaba natives in Colombia preferred missionary because of the stability it offers; they believed that if the woman moved during intercourse, the earth would slip off the shoulders of the four giants who held it up above the waters.^[46] Some Kerala tribes believe that the male-on-top position is the only way to conceive warriors.^[46]

In Greece, the missionary position was originally an unpopular position. Beds existed, yet not as we know them today, and men married girls 14 or 15 years of age, which created a height differential. These factors made the rear-entry standing position more convenient.^[69] However, circa the second century, Artemidos popularized the missionary position among Greco-Roman Stoics, declaring it "the only proper and natural" position due to the flow of semen.

Although the Bible does not mention sexual positions, from the 6th to 16th centuries, some Church authorities taught that intercourse should be face-to-face, man-on-top, primarily because they believed that semen flows with gravity, leading to conception.^[6] Exceptions were made for couples dealing with illness, obesity, or pregnancy. According to John Bancroft's Human Sexuality and Its Problems, Thomas Aquinas believed that crimes against nature included intercourse in "unnatural" ways. Protestants did not communicate proper sex positions, and the Catholic Church eventually abandoned its discourse on the topic.^[70] Simon Hardy wrote that the missionary position was used to distinguish "bestial and civilized sex."^[71]

Others who held that missionary was the only permitted position included Alexander of Hales and the author of De secretis mulierum,^{[clarification needed]} who suggested that nonstandard positions might result in birth defects.^[72] Ruth Mazo Karras states that William Peraldus' treatise Summa de virtutibus et vitiis distinguished between sins against nature that were "according to the substance" (intercourse other than vaginal) and "according to the manner, as when a woman mounts."^[73] Nicholas Venette's 1770s-era sex manual praised the missionary position as the "common posture...which is most allowable and most voluptuous."^[74] Numerous sources have reported that in the United States, some states had outlawed positions other than missionary between husband and wife, or will grant a divorce to a woman whose husband makes love to her in another position. While many states formerly outlawed oral sex, anal sex, buggery, or other "unnatural" acts, no US law has banned dorso-ventral heterosexual sex, or specified which partner needed to be on top.^[75]

Popularity

Among humans, the missionary position is the most commonly used sex position.^[3]^[35]^[76] In his seminal study Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953), which focused on American women, researcher Alfred Kinsey stated that 91% of married women surveyed reported using this position most often, whereas 9% reported using it exclusively.^[77] A The Journal of Sexual Medicine study entitled What Kind of Erotic Film Clips Should We Use in Female Sex Research? An Exploratory Study selected 18 film clips out of a sample of 90 that were found by the women studied to be particularly mentally appealing and visually arousing. 21% of the original 90 involved the missionary position, but 33% of the final 18 involved missionary.^[78] Fewer than 10% of sexually active persons rarely or never use the missionary position.^[79] According to Francoeur, the Brazilian Bororo Indians eschew missionary, finding it insulting for either partner to be above the other during sex.^[46] Balinese shun the man-on-top position in favor of the Oceanic position due to their perception of the former as being impractical and clumsy.^[46] The Cashinahua people use the missionary position to stay stable when they have sex in a forest stream to avoid insect bites.^[46] The inhabitants of Inis Beag practice the missionary position exclusively, with very limited foreplay.^[46] In addition to humans, the missionary position is also used by certain other species including bonobos,^[80] gorillas,^[81] and armadillos.^[82]

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^ Christakos, Caterina. What Is the Best Position for Making Love?. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.
^ Chung, Emily Queenie (2000-08-29). "Sex on Tuesday: Sex in Berkeley". Retrieved 2008-02-02.
^ Rerkpattanapipat, P. (February 2001). "Sex and the heart: what is the role of the cardiologist?" (PDF). Oxford Journals. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
^ Schwarz, E.R. J Rodriguez, J. (2005). "Sex and the heart". International Journal of Impotence Research. Retrieved 2008-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Katharine Sanderson, "Gorillas in the missionary position", Nature, February 14, 2008.
^ F. Dixson, John Brancoft, "Primate Sexuality: Comparative Studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Human Beings", Oxford University Press, 1998.
^ Simon Denison, "From modern apes to human origins", British Archaeology, no 8, October 1995.
^ "Sexual Positions". Sex Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
^ 6 Positions for Sexual Intercourse - In Order of Popularity. Canongate. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.
^ Tarkovsky, Sacha. Sex in Ancient Greece Views Towards Sex Positions.
^ Priest, 38.
^ Hardy, Simon (2004). "The Greeks, Eroticism and Ourselves". Sexualities. 7 (2): 201. doi:10.1177/1363460704042164. ISSN 1363-4607.
^ Brundage, James A. Law, sex, and Christian society in medieval Europe.
^ Karras, Ruth Mazo. Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing Unto Others. p. 83.
^ Trumbach, Randolph. Sex and the Gender Revolution. p. 107.
^ Priest, 39.
^ Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century. Cengage Learning. 2008. p. 423. ISBN 0495553395. Retrieved January 5, 2012. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
^ Kinsey, Alfred (1953). Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. ISBN 0-253-33411-X.
^ Woodward, Terri L.; Collins, Karen; Perez, Mindy; Balon, Richard; Tancer, Manuel; Kruger, Michael; Moffat, Scott; Diamond, Michael P. (2007). "What Kind of Erotic Film Clips Should We Use in Female Sex Research? An Exploratory Study". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 5 (1): 146–154. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00641.x. PMID 17956555.
^ Kanner, Bernice. Are You Normal About Sex, Love, and Relationships? p. 51.
^ Frans de Waal, "Bonobo Sex and Society", Scientific American (March 1995) 82-86.
^ Caught in the act! Gorillas mate face to face
^ "The Biogeography of the Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)". Raquel Avila. 1999.

External links

[Missionary_position-1] "Missionary position". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved January 24, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[Alice-2] "Ask Alice: What Exactly Is the Missionary Position?". Go Ask Alice! (Columbia University). May 3, 1996. Retrieved February 3, 2008.

[Roberts-3] Sex. Lotus Press. 2006. p. 145. ISBN 8189093592. Retrieved August 17, 2012. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)

[4] Dixson, Alan F. (1998). Primate Sexuality: Comparative Studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Human Beings. Oxford, England: (Oxford University Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-19-850182-4.

[Cecil-5] "Assuming the missionary position… again". The Straight Dope. Cecil Adams. 2005-06-17.

[pmid14992209-6] Priest, Robert J. (2001). "Missionary Positions: Christian, Modernist, and Postmodernist". Current Anthropology. 42 (1): 29–68. doi:10.1086/318433. PMID 14992209.

[7] Lister, Larry. Human Sexuality, Ethnoculture, and Social Work. p. 15.

[shr-8] "Sex Position – Missionary / The Man-on-Top Position". sexual-health-resource.org. Retrieved February 2, 2008.

[Priest,_31-9] Priest, 31.

[10] Priest, 30.

[11] Priest, 30-31.

[12] sourceshakespeare.org

[Kar-13] Comprehensive Textbook of Sexual Medicine. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. 2005. pp. 107–108. ISBN 8180614050. Retrieved February 10, 2014. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)

[14] Kratochvíl, S (1994). "Vaginal contractions in female orgasm". Ceskoslovenska psychiatrie. 90 (1): 28–33. PMID 8174183.

[15] A. Faix, J. F. Lapray, O. Callede, A. Maubon, K. Lanfrey (2002). "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Sexual Intercourse: Second Experience in Missionary Position and Initial Experience in Posterior Position" (PDF). Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 28(s): 63–76.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[16] Lexikon der Erotik by Lykke Aresin and Kurt Starke. Droemer-Knaur, 1996. ISBN 3-426-77174-8, p.597.

[17] Viennese Oyster - Sex Position

[18] Hutcherson, Hilda (2003). What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex. Perigee Trade. p. 144. ISBN 0-399-52853-9.

[19] "Blowfish Sex Cushions". Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[MissionaryRevival-20] Jones, Kelly. "The Missionary Revival". Playboy. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[21] "Variations on a Theme - Him on Top Sex Positions". Better Sex. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[AddSpice-22] Strovny, David. "Add Spice to the Missionary Position". AskMen. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[23] Wright, Susan. Driving Your Woman Wild in Bed: A Man's Guide to Satisfying Women. ISBN 0-8065-2430-8.

[24] "Man-on-top sex positions: enhancing the missionary position". The Lovers' Guide. Retrieved 2008-02-09.

[25] BabyMed Viennese Oyster - Sex Position

[coville-26] Nafzawi, Muhammad ibn Muhammad al, and Jim Colville (trans.). The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight. The Kegan Paul Arabia library, vol. 7. London: Kegan Paul, 1999.

[27] Moore, Kira. "Rethink the Missionary Position: Three Ways to Spice up a Classic". Savvy Miss. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[Hite,_Tribadism-28] Hite, Shere (2004). The Hite Report: A Nationwide Study of Female Sexuality. New York, NY: Seven Stories Press. p. 322. ISBN 1583225692. Retrieved 2 March 2012.

[Schell-29] Jude Schell (2008). Lesbian Sex: 101 Lovemaking Positions. Random House Digital. pp. 224 pages. ISBN 0-495-60274-4. Retrieved November 4, 2012.

[Greenberg-30] Jerrold S. Greenberg, Clint E. Bruess, Sarah C. Conklin (2007). Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 429. ISBN 0-7637-4148-5. 9780763741488. Retrieved 2010-12-19.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[Carroll-31] Janell L. Carroll (2009). Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Cengage Learning. p. 272. ISBN 0-495-60274-4. Retrieved 2010-12-19.

[BestLove-32] "The Missionary Sex Position". Best Love Making Positions and Techniques. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[33] "Sexual Positions". Sex Therapy in Philadelphia. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[34] Strovny, David. "Sexual Positions Women Enjoy". AskMen. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[Colombia-35] "The Missionary Position". Sexual Health Center. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[36] "Genital Intercourse". Magnus Hirschfield Archive for Sexuality. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[LoversGuide-37] Man-on-top sex positions: enhancing the missionary position. The Lovers' Guide. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[Times-38] Stuttaford, Thomas (October 6, 2007). Taking the First Steps. Times Online. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[39] Losing Virginity. Educativ. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[40] Tarkovsky, Sascha. Losing Your Virginity – A Girl's Guide to the First Time. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[41] Sirtle, Alphonso. Losing Your Virginity – What a Girl Should Know About Her First Time.

[42] Questions from a virgin. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[43] Making love the very first time. Autumn Rose. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[44] Schultz, W. W.; P. van Andel; I. Sabelis; E. Mooyaart (18 December 1999). "Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal". BMJ. 319 (7225): 1596–1600. doi:10.1136/bmj.319.7225.1596. PMC 28302. PMID 10600954.

[45] "What is the best position to get pregnant?". Getting Pregnant Tips. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[Francoeur-46] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Francoeur, Robert. "Dominant Theory". Nerve. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[47] BabyCenter (May 2007). "Sexual positions for baby-making". Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[48] Mann, Denise (2005). "The Truth About Sexual Positions and Getting Pregnant". WebMD. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[49] "Finding the Right Position". Pregnancy Info. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[50] "Sex During Pregnancy". March of Dimes. Retrieved 2014-11-11.

[51] Port, David and Ralston, John. The Caveman's Pregnancy Companion: A Survival Guide for Expectant Fathers. p. 101. ISBN 1-4027-3526-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[PregnantStore-52] "Man on Top Sexual Positions". Pregnant Store. Retrieved 2008-02-02. ^{[dead link]}

[53] "Male Sexual Function/Dysfunction". McKinley Health Center. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[Synch-54] Veilleux, Zachary. "Sychronized Schwinging". Men's Health. Retrieved 2008-02-02. ^{[dead link]}

[55] "But isn't that kinky?: sex in the animal kingdom". Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[Archer-56] Archer, Rebecca (2002). "In Praise of the Missionary Position". Nerve. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[57] Peres, Judy (2008-11-17). "Study: Feminists are better mates". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-02. ^{[dead link]}

[58] Ogden, Gina (September 1999). Women Who Love Sex. Womanspirit Press. ISBN 978-0-9672705-0-0.

[59] Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. ISBN 0-7660-2831-3.

[Christakos-60] Christakos, Caterina. What Is the Best Position for Making Love?. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[61] Chung, Emily Queenie (2000-08-29). "Sex on Tuesday: Sex in Berkeley". Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[62] Rerkpattanapipat, P. (February 2001). "Sex and the heart: what is the role of the cardiologist?" (PDF). Oxford Journals. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[63] Schwarz, E.R. J Rodriguez, J. (2005). "Sex and the heart". International Journal of Impotence Research. Retrieved 2008-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[64] Katharine Sanderson, "Gorillas in the missionary position", Nature, February 14, 2008.

[65] F. Dixson, John Brancoft, "Primate Sexuality: Comparative Studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Human Beings", Oxford University Press, 1998.

[66] Simon Denison, "From modern apes to human origins", British Archaeology, no 8, October 1995.

[67] "Sexual Positions". Sex Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 2008-02-02.

[Canongate-68] 6 Positions for Sexual Intercourse - In Order of Popularity. Canongate. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.

[69] Tarkovsky, Sacha. Sex in Ancient Greece Views Towards Sex Positions.

[70] Priest, 38.

[71] Hardy, Simon (2004). "The Greeks, Eroticism and Ourselves". Sexualities. 7 (2): 201. doi:10.1177/1363460704042164. ISSN 1363-4607.

[72] Brundage, James A. Law, sex, and Christian society in medieval Europe.

[73] Karras, Ruth Mazo. Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing Unto Others. p. 83.

[74] Trumbach, Randolph. Sex and the Gender Revolution. p. 107.

[75] Priest, 39.

[Weiten,_2008-76] Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century. Cengage Learning. 2008. p. 423. ISBN 0495553395. Retrieved January 5, 2012. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)

[77] Kinsey, Alfred (1953). Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. ISBN 0-253-33411-X.

[78] Woodward, Terri L.; Collins, Karen; Perez, Mindy; Balon, Richard; Tancer, Manuel; Kruger, Michael; Moffat, Scott; Diamond, Michael P. (2007). "What Kind of Erotic Film Clips Should We Use in Female Sex Research? An Exploratory Study". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 5 (1): 146–154. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00641.x. PMID 17956555.

[79] Kanner, Bernice. Are You Normal About Sex, Love, and Relationships? p. 51.

[80] Frans de Waal, "Bonobo Sex and Society", Scientific American (March 1995) 82-86.

[81] Caught in the act! Gorillas mate face to face

[82] "The Biogeography of the Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)". Raquel Avila. 1999.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{About|the sex position|the book by Christopher Hitchens|The Missionary Position}}
-this is why there are so many babys in china m8
+[[File:Paul Avril - Les Sonnetts Luxurieux (1892) de Pietro Aretino, 2.jpg|thumb|[[Édouard-Henri Avril]] depiction of the missionary position]]
-#getrektm8
+The '''missionary position''' or '''man-on-top position''' is generally<!--NOTE: The word "generally" adds neutrality to the sentence, as the sources (which are what we defer to with WP:Due weight) usually describe this sex position as heterosexual. The word "describing" or similar are removed often from Wikipedia leads (per the WP:REFERS essay).--> a [[sex position]] in which a woman lies on her back and a man lies on top of her while they face each other and engage in [[sexual intercourse]] or other [[Human sexual activity|sexual activity]].<ref name="Missionary position">{{cite web|title=Missionary position|publisher=''[[Merriam-Webster]]''|accessdate=January 24, 2013|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missionary%20position}}</ref><ref name="Alice">{{cite web |url=http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0891.html |title=Ask Alice: What Exactly Is the Missionary Position?|publisher=[[Go Ask Alice!]] (Columbia University)|date=May 3, 1996|accessdate=February 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Roberts">{{cite book|authors=Keath Roberts|title=Sex|publisher=Lotus Press|year=2006|page=145|isbn = 8189093592|accessdate=August 17, 2012|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=zDS9kC03x2IC&pg=PA145&lpg=PA145&dq=Missionary+position+sex+position&source=bl&ots=A6F74YEUPV&sig=_mlerlzYiPQ9vBjLe6PhrBDTLHM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SRlJULz7EsztqQHWy4GoAg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q=Missionary%20position%20sex%20position&f=false}}</ref> Though commonly associated with aspects of [[Heterosexuality|heterosexual]] sexual activity, the sex position is also used by [[gay]] and [[lesbian]] couples.<ref name="Alice"/>
+The missionary position may involve [[sexual penetration]] or [[non-penetrative sex]] (for example, [[intercrural sex]]), and its penile-vaginal aspect is an example of ventro-ventral (front-to-front) [[Reproduction|reproductive]] activity.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dixson |first=Alan F. |year=1998 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=r56ov450wbEC&dq=dorso-ventral+copulation&q=page+113#v=snippet&q=missionary&f=false |title=Primate Sexuality: Comparative Studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Human Beings |publisher= ([[Oxford University Press]] |location= Oxford, England | page=113 |isbn= 0-19-850182-X |isbn=978-0-19-850182-4}}</ref> Variations of the position allow varying degrees of [[Vagina|vaginal tightness]], [[Clitoris|clitoral stimulation]], depth of penetration, participation on the part of the woman, and the likelihood and speed of [[orgasm]].
+It is commonly believed that the term ''missionary position'' arose in connection to [[Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]], who supposedly taught that the position was the only proper way to engage in sexual intercourse. However, the term probably originated from [[Alfred Kinsey]]'s ''[[Kinsey Reports|Sexual Behavior in the Human Male]]'' through a confluence of misunderstandings and misinterpretations of historical documents.<ref name="Cecil">{{cite web|url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050617.html |title=Assuming the missionary position… again |date=2005-06-17 |work=The [[Straight Dope]] |publisher=[[Cecil Adams]]}}</ref><ref name="pmid14992209">{{cite journal |last=Priest |first=Robert J. |title=Missionary Positions: Christian, Modernist, and Postmodernist |journal=Current Anthropology |volume=42 |issue=1 |year=2001 |doi=10.1086/318433 |pages=29–68 |postscript=<!--None--> |pmid=14992209}}</ref> [[Tuscany|Tuscans]] refer to the position as ''the Angelic position'' while some [[Arab]]ic-speaking groups call it ''the manner of serpents.''<ref>Lister, Larry. ''Human Sexuality, Ethnoculture, and Social Work''. p. 15.</ref>
+The missionary position is often preferred by couples who enjoy its [[romance (love)|romantic qualities]] afforded by copious skin-to-skin contact and opportunities to look into each other's eyes and kiss and caress each other. The position is also believed to be a good position for reproduction.<ref name="shr">{{cite web|url=http://www.sexual-health-resource.org/sex_positions/missionary_position.html|title=Sex Position – Missionary / The Man-on-Top Position|publisher=sexual-health-resource.org|accessdate=February 2, 2008}}</ref>  During sexual activity, the missionary position allows the man to take charge of the rhythm and depth of [[pelvic thrusting]]. It is also possible for the woman to thrust against him by moving her hips or pushing her feet against the bed, or squeeze him closer with her arms or legs. The position is less suitable for late stages of [[pregnancy]], or when it is desired for the woman to have greater control over rhythm and depth of penetration.
+==Etymology and other usage==
+Before the release of Alfred Kinsey's work, the missionary position was known by several names, including ''the matrimonial,'' ''the Mama-Papa position,'' ''the English-American position,'' and ''the male superior position.''<ref name="Priest, 31">Priest, 31.</ref> In 1948, Kinsey published the male volume of the [[Kinsey Reports]], ''Sexual Behavior in the Human Male''. He described the American preference for the position and called it ''the English-American position.'' Discussing [[Bronisław Malinowski|Malinowski's]] ''The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia'', Kinsey wrote, "It will be recalled that Malinowski (1929) records the nearly universal use of a totally different position among the [[Trobrianders]] ... [and] ... that caricatures of the English-American position are performed around ... campfires, to the great amusement of the natives who refer to the position as the 'missionary position.'"<ref name="Priest, 31"/> To date, lexicographers and sexologists have not found use of the term ''missionary position'' before Kinsey.<ref>Priest, 30.</ref>
+In 2001, Robert Priest examined the origins of the term and concluded that Kinsey had confused several factors in accidentally coining the term.<ref name="Priest, 31"/> First, according to Malinowski, Trobrianders played and sang mocking songs under the full moon, and not around a campfire. In ''Sexual Behaviors'', Kinsey wrote that the Trobrianders mocked face-to-face man-on-top woman-below intercourse, but does not give context. He mentioned that the position was learned from "white traders, planters, or officials", but does not discuss missionaries. Kinsey also recalled that the medieval Catholic Church taught the position, and upon seeing the natives mocking it, assumed that missionaries had taught it to them. Finally, Malinowski wrote that he saw an engaged Trobriand couple holding hands and leaning against each other, which the natives described as ''misinari si bubunela'' — the ''missionary fashion.'' Upon accidentally combining these similar facts, Kinsey invented a new phrase despite believing that he was reporting an old one.<ref name="Priest, 31"/>
+From then on, the story of the name's "origin" may have been retold until it became largely accepted, with its connection to Kinsey and Malinowski having faded. Writers began using the expression for sexual intercourse in the late 1960s, and as [[Alex Comfort]]'s bestseller ''[[The Joy of Sex]]'' (1972) and the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' (1976) spread the term ''missionary position,'' it gradually replaced older names.<ref>Priest, 30-31.</ref> By the 1990s, it had spread to other languages: ''Missionarsstellung'' ([[German language|German]]), ''postura del misionero'' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]), ''missionarishouding'' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]) and ''position du missionaire'' ([[French language|French]]).<ref name="Priest, 31"/>
+In [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Othello]]'' (Act 1, Scene 1), the missionary position was [[euphemism|euphemistically]] called [[Beast with two backs|"the beast with two backs"]].<ref>[http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=othello&Act=1&Scene=1&Scope=scene opensourceshakespeare.org]</ref>
+==Variations==
+[[File:Wiki-missionary.png|thumb|Basic position involves [[ventral]]-ventral contact]]
+Though there are a number of variations and adoptions of the missionary position, the classic missionary position involves a man and a woman, with the woman lying on her back and the man on top.
+===Basic position===
+{{Refimprove section|date=January 2014}}
+In the missionary position, a woman lies on her back with her legs comfortably spread either flat or raised toward her chest with the soles of the feet resting on the mattress. The penetrating partner approaches the woman on his knees between her spread legs; and either uses his arms to hold himself up, or lets his weight rest against her. When the woman's vagina is sufficiently lubricated, which may involve [[Fingering (sexual act)|fingering]] her [[vulva]] or [[clitoris]] in particular, the man will level his erect penis with her vagina for [[sexual penetration|penetration]], and may use fingers to open the woman's labia and guide the penis in.
+Inside the vagina, the man controls the force, depth, pace and rhythm of [[Pelvic thrust|thrusts]], but the woman has some control by pushing her feet and legs against the mattress and by side movements in her pelvis as well as by clutching onto and moving with her partner.<ref name="Kar">{{cite book |authors=Nilamadhab Kar, Gopal Chandra Kar| title = Comprehensive Textbook of Sexual Medicine | publisher = [[Jaypee Brothers| Jaypee Brothers Publishers]]|pages=107–108| isbn = 8180614050|year=2005| accessdate = February 10, 2014 | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=YxcjMPbGHQIC&pg=PA107}}</ref>  A woman can increase the force of a man's thrust by moving against the man's rhythm. Some women prefer to be passive during sexual intercourse, sometimes in [[Female submission|submission]]. With the penis inside the woman, the man may straddle the woman, taking the woman's legs between his (this is sometimes called the "starfish position"). This restricts further the woman's movements, and either partner can increase the tightness on the man's penis by pressing the woman's thighs together. However, this increases vaginal friction and makes thrusting more difficult.
+During sexual intercourse, most women experience involuntary [[vaginal contraction]]s,<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=8174183 |year=1994 |last1=Kratochvíl |first1=S |title=Vaginal contractions in female orgasm |volume=90 |issue=1 |pages=28–33 |journal=Ceskoslovenska psychiatrie}}</ref> leading in turn to the man increasing the pace and force of thrusts as his arousal and sexual frenzy increases as he approaches orgasm; this in turn further increases the woman's vaginal contraction. After a man has achieved orgasm, he will normally collapse onto the woman and will normally not be capable of further thrusting. Some men try to control their orgasm until their female partner also orgasms, but this is not always achieved. At times, a woman can achieve orgasm after the man has ceased thrusting by contracting her vaginal muscles and with pelvic movements, or the couple may change to another position that enables the woman to continue thrusting until she has reached orgasm, such as a [[woman on top]] position.
+During sexual intercourse in the missionary position, the penis is in preferential contact with the [[Anterior#Superior and inferior|anterior]] wall of the vagina and the tip of the penis reaches the [[Fornix of the vagina|anterior fornix]], while in the rear-entry position it is in preferential contact with the posterior wall of the vagina and probably reaches the posterior fornix.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Sexual Intercourse: Second Experience in Missionary Position and Initial Experience in Posterior Position |journal=Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy |volume=28(s) |pages=63–76 |year=2002 |author=A. Faix, J. F. Lapray, O. Callede, A. Maubon, K. Lanfrey |url=http://www-psych.stanford.edu/~knutson/ans/faix02.pdf}}</ref>
+===Position of legs===
+[[File:Édouard-Henri Avril (13).jpg|left|thumb|Raising legs allows for deep penetration]]
+A receiving woman's legs and arms are generally free to move about, though her position and movement may be constrained by the penetrating partner's weight and in some other way. A woman can adjust the position of her legs for comfort, variety and to control the angle and depth of penetration. Generally, the higher a woman's legs, the deeper is the penetration. When the legs are raised in any way, the woman has less control of the rhythm of thrusts. Also, raising the legs raises the woman's pelvis, reduces the angle of penetration, and lowers the level of clitoral stimulation.
+A woman's legs can remain flat or raised toward her chest, or wrapped around the penetrating partner at various heights: at the back of the legs, at the buttocks or back or over the shoulders, in a position called the ''Wiener auster'' or Viennese oyster.<ref>''Lexikon der Erotik'' by Lykke Aresin and Kurt Starke. Droemer-Knaur, 1996. ISBN 3-426-77174-8, p.597.</ref> In the higher leg positions the woman's legs may need some support, which may be achieved by crossing the ankles behind the partner or resting on his shoulders. She may also hold them with her hands or cross her arms around them at the knees. Some are flexible enough to cross the legs behind their heads. Alternatively, her partner may hold her legs up.<ref>[http://www.babymed.com/sex-positions/viennese-oyster-sex-position Viennese Oyster - Sex Position]</ref> Separating straight legs carry the risk of [[muscle pull]] of thigh muscles. The laying by the partner on raised legs puts excessive pressure on the woman's back.
+A pillow or [[sex pillow]] (especially a firm one) can be used,<ref>{{cite book |last=Hutcherson |first=Hilda |title=What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex |publisher=Perigee Trade |year=2003 |isbn=0-399-52853-9 |page=144}}</ref> to alter the depth and angle of penetration. A wedge- or ramp-shaped pillow can relieve pressure on the top person's hands and arms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blowfish.com/catalog/toys/cushions.html |title=Blowfish Sex Cushions |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Placing a pillow under the woman's buttocks can lift her pelvis—a ''[[Playboy]]'' article suggested placing it under her hips to increase pressure on the clitoris.<ref name="MissionaryRevival">{{cite web |author=Jones, Kelly |url=http://www.playboy.com/sex/featuresLL/missionary/missionary.html |title=The Missionary Revival |publisher=Playboy |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Each of these methods can increase the depth of penetration. Raising the clitoris generally allows easier access to it in this position. Using a pillow can also help the woman arch her back and avoid backache.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.have-better-sex.com/Sex-Positions-1 |title=Variations on a Theme - Him on Top Sex Positions |publisher=Better Sex |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>
+In one variant, the woman may lift and slightly bend her legs, resting her feet flat on the mattress. This shortens the distance between the [[vagina]] and [[cervix]], and may apply more friction to the area termed the ''[[G-Spot]].''{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The woman may find this more comfortable than the standard position,<ref name="AddSpice">{{cite web |author=Strovny, David |url=http://www.askmen.com/love/love_tip/47_love_tip.html |title=Add Spice to the Missionary Position |publisher=AskMen |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> and it can allow her to push against the man's thrust, giving her some control over the rhythm.<ref>{{cite book |author=Wright, Susan |title=Driving Your Woman Wild in Bed: A Man's Guide to Satisfying Women |isbn=0-8065-2430-8}}</ref>
+Placing the woman's legs on or over the man's shoulders provides the deepest possible penetration. This variant is sometimes called ''the anvil''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.loversguide.com/sex_articles.0.html?&cHash=8a2278&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=136&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=52 |title=Man-on-top sex positions: enhancing the missionary position |publisher=The Lovers' Guide |accessdate=2008-02-09}}</ref> This position aims the head of the penis at the [[vaginal fornix]] (posterior fornix). When the legs are held mid-level in this way, the penis can achieve significant depth while attempting to stimulate the G-Spot and achieving more friction on the top of its shaft.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}
+===Viennese oyster position===
+[[File:Wiki-Wiener-auster.png|right|thumb|A woman in the ''Wiener auster'' (Viennese oyster) position]]
+The Viennese oyster position requires great flexibility from the woman to perform. The female lies on her back and moves her legs behind her head, with the groin area being completely exposed. The male partner penetrate the vagina from the top. This is a deep penetrating position and may not be suitable for men with larger than average penis size. However, in most cases, the female will not be flexible enough to achieve this position fully, and will need to stop well before the legs are behind the head. If that is the case, the male partner can help hold the legs in a comfortable position and continue on with intercourse.<ref>BabyMed [http://www.babymed.com/sex-positions/viennese-oyster-sex-position Viennese Oyster - Sex Position]</ref>
+===Butterfly position===
+[[File:Édouard-Henri Avril (12).jpg|thumb|A woman in the butterfly position]]
+The woman can lie on her back with her hips on the edge of a platform such as a bed, table, kitchen bench, desk etc.<ref name="coville">Nafzawi, Muhammad ibn Muhammad al, and Jim Colville (trans.). ''The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight''. The Kegan Paul Arabia library, vol. 7. London: Kegan Paul, 1999.</ref> while the man penetrates her while standing. The woman can move her body freely. She can dangle her legs over the edge or raise them to any height or manner mentioned above. The woman can rest her legs on the man or he can hold them or separate them. The woman has a greater ability to move her pelvis and to arch her back, and the man can raise, support or restrict the movement of her pelvis. The woman is not weighed down by the man's weight. This position, sometimes called the ''butterfly position'', adds variety to the angle and depth of penetration and generally enables the man to withdraw and then fully thrust the penis, with faster and more forceful thrusts. The downside of this position is that the angle of penetration results in reduced [[Sexual stimulation|clitoral stimulation]], and the woman may need direct clitoral [[Fingering (sexual act)|fingering]], either by herself or by the man, to achieve orgasm. Alternatively, the woman may either arch her back or raise her torso onto her elbows or arms to reduce the angle and enhance clitoral stimulation. Also, prior to and after the man's orgasm, the man may need to lie down on the woman.
+===Riding high===
+{{See also|Coital alignment technique}}
+In the riding high missionary variant, the man enters the woman in the normal fashion but then shifts his body up and forward toward her head. He then rocks back and forth, stimulating her clitoris with his pelvic bone, or base of his penis. This results in more consistent clitoral stimulation at the cost of a man's deep thrusting; accordingly, some men prefer to use it during only part of sex.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Kira |url=http://www.savvymiss.com/love-advice/sex-advice/sex-sex-sex-archive/article/rethink-the-missionary-position-three-ways-to-spice-up-a-classic-4383/page-browse/1/sspn//8ac9f9dfdf.html  |title=Rethink the Missionary Position: Three Ways to Spice up a Classic |publisher=Savvy Miss |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>
+===Anal sex, tribadism and other aspects===
+<!-- NOTE: This section combines these matters because, per MOS:PARAGRAPHS, "Short paragraphs and single sentences generally do not warrant their own subheading."  -->
+{{Double image|right|Wiki-anal missionary.png|180|Wiki-tribadism02.png|180|Two men engaged in the missionary position during anal sex; two women engaged in the missionary position during tribadism}}
+Penetrative [[anal sex]] may be performed on a partner in the missionary position.<ref name="Alice"/> The legs may be raised high, with the knees drawn towards their chest, and with some sort of support (such as a pillow) under the receiver's hips for comfort and to raise the receiver's buttocks. The penetrating partner positions himself between the receiver's legs and aligns his penis with the anus for anal penetration. Instead of penetration, an active partner may perform [[anilingus]] on the partner with raised legs.
+[[Tribadism]] between women may be performed in the missionary position.<ref name="Hite, Tribadism">{{cite book | first = Shere| last = Hite |author-link=Shere Hite | title = The Hite Report: A Nationwide Study of Female Sexuality | publisher = [[Seven Stories Press]] | year = 2004 | location=New York, NY | isbn = 1583225692| page=322 | accessdate = 2 March 2012 | url =http://books.google.com/?id=s3OZaVn2wfkC&pg=PA322&dq=#v=onepage&q=&f=false}}</ref><ref name="Schell">{{cite book|author =Jude Schell|title =Lesbian Sex: 101 Lovemaking Positions|isbn =0-495-60274-4|publisher=[[Random House|Random House Digital]]|year=2008|pages=224 pages|accessdate=November 4, 2012|url=http://books.google.com/?id=JHVndzmgDmYC&pg=PP18&dq=}}</ref> The practice involves women rubbing their vulvas against each other.<ref name="Greenberg">{{cite book|title =Exploring the Dimensions of Human Sexuality|id = 9780763741488|publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning|year=2007|page=429|accessdate=2010-12-19|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ZdYh_iFZvbkC&pg=PA429&dq=Lesbians+and+tribadism#v=onepage&q=Lesbians%20and%20tribadism&f=false|isbn =0-7637-4148-5|author = Jerrold S. Greenberg, Clint E. Bruess, Sarah C. Conklin}}</ref><ref name="Carroll">{{cite book |title=Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity |isbn=0-495-60274-4 |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2009 |page=272 |accessdate=2010-12-19 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=5f8mQx7ULs4C&pg=PA272&dq=#v=onepage&q=Lesbians%20and%20tribadism&f=false |author=Janell L. Carroll}}</ref> Female couples may also engage in the missionary position while one or both partners [[Fingering (sexual act)|use their fingers]] or [[sex toy]]s for stimulation of the clitoris,<ref name="Alice"/> other parts of the vulva, or vagina.
+==Perceived advantages and disadvantages==
+===Psychological===
+There are many appealing psychological aspects of the missionary position. It is often regarded as a romantic position because the two partners face each other and may maintain eye contact; there is potentially a greater amount of skin-to-skin contact than in any other position; and the couple can hold each other in their arms, which can easily segue into cuddling when sex is over{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}}. Partners may engage in other intimate contact, such as kissing, or guiding each other's hips with their hands.<ref name="BestLove">{{cite web |url=http://www.best-love-making-positions-techniques.com/missionary-position.html |title=The Missionary Sex Position |publisher=Best Love Making Positions and Techniques |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sextherapyinphiladelphia.com/sexual_positions.htm |title=Sexual Positions |publisher=Sex Therapy in Philadelphia |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Strovny, David |url=http://www.askmen.com/love/love_tip/59_love_tip.html |title=Sexual Positions Women Enjoy |publisher=AskMen |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>
+At the same time, the woman needs a high level of trust in the man on top who is in a dominant position vis-a-vis the woman below. Once the man is in place, he is very difficult to dislodge without his co-operation. With the man's weight on the woman, especially on her pelvis, the man has control of the rhythm and depth of his thrusts, in the most sexually sensitive part of her body. Some women enjoy the feeling of sexual submission or of being trapped.<ref name="Colombia">{{cite web |url=http://www.colombialink.com/01_INDEX/index_sexualidad/sexuality/sexual_positions/21_missionary_position.html |title=The Missionary Position|publisher=Sexual Health Center |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Some women enjoy being passive and carrying the man's weight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/ATLAS_EN/html/genital_intercourse.html |title=Genital Intercourse |publisher=Magnus Hirschfield Archive for Sexuality |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> The missionary position may also be appropriate for women who desire the feeling of being "taken" by the man and want to feel overpowered.<ref name="LoversGuide">[http://www.loversguide.com/sex_articles.0.html?&cHash=8a2278&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=136&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=52 Man-on-top sex positions: enhancing the missionary position]. The Lovers' Guide. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref>
+===Physical===
+The missionary position is commonly used the first time a couple has sex. Thomas Stuttaford notes that it may be more comfortable to do so: "The discomfort of early penetrative sex, if there is any, is usually related to tension in the pelvic or thigh muscles and/or anxiety that has prevented the usual vaginal lubrication. Muscles of the pelvic floor are more relaxed if, initially, the missionary position is chosen and a couple of pillows are arranged under the woman's bottom so her hips are tilted upwards."<ref name="Times">Stuttaford, Thomas (October 6, 2007). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/our_experts/article2595671.ece Taking the First Steps]. Times Online. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> The simplicity of the position makes it well-suited to the inexperienced.<ref>[http://www.educativ.info/teen/virginity.html Losing Virginity]. Educativ. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> The Lovers' Guide states that missionary lends itself well to sex with a new partner as it is "a romantic yet fairly unadventurous sex position" that is "non-threatening and loving" and "lays neither partner open to strangeness, anxiety and unfamiliarity."<ref name="LoversGuide"/>
+On the other hand, Sacha Tarkovsky advises women to not use the missionary position when having sex for the first time, stating, "You are not in control, and it will be more painful and you cannot do anything but lay {{sic}} there and take it." She recommends positions such as [[woman on top]] that allow the woman to control the speed and pressure at which she loses her hymen.<ref>Tarkovsky, Sascha. Losing Your Virginity – A Girl's Guide to the First Time. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> However, it may not be necessary to completely forgo missionary the first time; Alphonso Sirtle suggests starting with woman on top until the hymen is torn, and then possibly switching to missionary or whatever other position is preferred.<ref>Sirtle, Alphonso. Losing Your Virginity – What a Girl Should Know About Her First Time.</ref>
+The missionary position allows easy entry into the vagina. The man can use force and gravity to help himself in,<ref>[http://byedr.com/Mens-Health/1271-mens-health.html Questions from a virgin]. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> and the position allows the woman to relax her vaginal muscles and help her partner guide his penis gently in with her hand.<ref>[http://www.autumn-rose.co.uk/make-love-the-first-time.html Making love the very first time]. Autumn Rose. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> Suzi Godson said, "In an observational study carried out in The Netherlands, magnetic resonance imaging was used to study the male and female genitals during coitus. The images illustrate the very natural fit of the male and female genitals in [the missionary] position. The penis has the shape of a boomerang – one third of its length consists of the root of the penis – and the vaginal walls wrap snugly around it."<ref name="Times"/><ref>{{cite journal |first=W. W. |last=Schultz |author2=P. van Andel |author3=I. Sabelis |author4=E. Mooyaart  |url=http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/319/7225/1596 |title=Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal |journal=BMJ |date=18 December 1999 |volume=319 |pages=1596–1600 |pmid=10600954 |issue=7225 |pmc=28302 |doi=10.1136/bmj.319.7225.1596}}</ref>
+According to Sexual Health Resource, "The man-on-top sex positions are very good for couples who are trying to have a baby, because penetration can be very deep. If the woman holds on to her legs behind her knees and draws her thighs right back, sperm can be deposited deep in the vagina – at the neck of the womb. This provided the best chance of conception occurring."<ref name="shr"/> ''Getting Pregnant Tips'' notes the importance of not using too large a sex pillow while in the missionary position as it can cause the sperm to pool behind the cervix.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.getting-pregnant-tips.com/best-position-to-get-pregnant.html |title=What is the best position to get pregnant? |publisher=Getting Pregnant Tips |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Francoeur states that "male-above sex promotes fertility by keeping the opening of the vagina higher than the seminal pool, which, in turn, helps sperm get into the womb and find the egg."<ref name="Francoeur"/> However, according to BabyCenter, "There is no evidence that any particular sexual position is more likely to lead to conception."<ref>{{cite web |author=BabyCenter |date=May 2007 |url=http://www.babycenter.com/0_sexual-positions-for-baby-making_1812.bc |title=Sexual positions for baby-making |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> [[Donnica Moore]] agrees, stating that while there are no scientific studies regarding the best sexual positions for reproduction, the missionary (man on top) position is typically considered optimal for conception.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mann, Denise |year=2005 |url=http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/truth-about-sexual-positions-getting-pregnant |title=The Truth About Sexual Positions and Getting Pregnant |publisher=[[WebMD]] |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>
+Pregnancy Info states that the missionary position may become increasingly awkward for pregnant women as their belly begins to grow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pregnancy-info.net/sex_positions.html |title=Finding the Right Position |publisher=Pregnancy Info |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> The [[March of Dimes]] notes, "Positions that work before pregnancy and early in pregnancy can be uncomfortable or even unsafe at later stages of the baby's development. For example, a woman should avoid lying flat on her back after the fourth month of pregnancy, because the weight of the growing uterus puts pressure on major blood vessels."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/sex-during-pregnancy.aspx |title=Sex During Pregnancy |publisher=March of Dimes |accessdate=2014-11-11}}</ref> David Port states, "Beginning early in the second trimester, doctors tend to discourage pregnant women from supine exercise. And the missionary position is exactly that kind of exercise, at least if the activity lasts more than a few fleeting moments."<ref>{{cite book |author=Port, David and Ralston, John |title=The Caveman's Pregnancy Companion: A Survival Guide for Expectant Fathers |page=101 |isbn=1-4027-3526-X}}</ref>
+The deep penetration and large hip thrusts of the missionary position can cause the man to reach orgasm quickly compared to other positions, which can be problematic if the couple seeks to reach simultaneous orgasm.<ref name="PregnantStore">{{cite web |url=http://www.pregnantstore.com/SexualPositionsGuide-ManOnTop.html |title=Man on Top Sexual Positions |publisher=Pregnant Store |accessdate=2008-02-02}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The male reaching orgasm first can be disruptive to sex, as 50% of penile erection is lost immediately after ejaculation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/male_function_dysfunction.html |title=Male Sexual Function/Dysfunction |publisher=McKinley Health Center |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> making him more likely to inadvertently slip out of the vagina, especially during the strong pelvic contractions of female orgasm. In addition to the standard [[Premature ejaculation#Treatment|methods for treating premature ejaculation]], Zachary Veilleux notes that this problem can be overcome by workarounds such as changing positions frequently (which studies have shown delays male orgasm by a factor of 2-3), using lubrication to reduce friction (friction stimulates the male but is not as important in female orgasm), or switching to cunnilingus for a while when close to ejaculation, and then switching back when ejaculation is no longer imminent.<ref name="Synch">{{cite web |author=Veilleux, Zachary |url=http://www.menshealthsa.co.za/index.php?cat=1186&art_id=908 |title=Sychronized Schwinging |publisher=Men's Health |accessdate=2008-02-02}} {{Dead link|date=March 2011}}</ref>
+The missionary position is sometimes mocked as a plain [[vanilla sex]] position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saferinjecting.net/sex-kinky.htm |title=But isn't that kinky?: sex in the animal kingdom |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Archer stated, "To all the sex gymnasts, this kind of banal preference looks lazy, unimaginative and uninformed," but she rebuts this by pointing out the existence of variations: "Missionary is kind of like tofu: You have to add your own flavor."<ref name="Archer">{{cite web |author=Archer, Rebecca |year=2002 |url=http://www.nerve.com/PersonalEssays/Archer/MissionaryPosition/ |title=In Praise of the Missionary Position |publisher=Nerve |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Perhaps due to the ubiquity of this position, its typical role as the first position used by couples, its tendency to put the man in control of speed, tempo and depth, its ability to cause him to quickly reach orgasm, and the fact that it is literally a "male-superior" position with the man on top, missionary is sometimes associated with men who are dominating and uncreative and selfish about sex. According to Gina Ogden, "the cultural missionary position – man on top" is not conducive to romance since "If a relationship is based on authoritarian control, keeping one person on top and the other underneath, it gets old pretty fast – for both partners, really".<ref>{{cite web |author=Peres, Judy |date=2008-11-17 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/printedition/saturday/chi-feminism_17nov17,0,3001089,full.story |title=Study: Feminists are better mates |publisher=Chicago Tribune |accessdate=2008-02-02}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> In ''Women Who Love Sex'', Ogden writes, "Think what will happen to the missionary position when women, en masse, opt for pleasures that stir body and soul instead of continuing to do good-girl intercourse by the book."<ref>{{cite book |author=Ogden, Gina |date=September 1999 |title=Women Who Love Sex |publisher=Womanspirit Press |isbn=978-0-9672705-0-0}}</ref> In Chinua Achebe's ''[[Things Fall Apart]]'', the main character ridicules the idea of women making decisions by saying that one might as well say that the woman lies on top of the man when they are making the baby.<ref>{{cite book |author=Achebe, Chinua |title=Things Fall Apart |isbn=0-7660-2831-3}}</ref>
+The missionary position has potential for clitoral stimulation in several ways. Christakos assures, "This position can give the woman plenty of clitoral stimulation if the man leans forward thus rubbing his pelvic bone against her clitoris."<ref name="Christakos">Christakos, Caterina. [http://www.eioba.com/a61135/what_is_the_best_position_for_making_love What Is the Best Position for Making Love?]. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> Emily Queenie Chung notes, "Also, this position is the easiest for a woman to stimulate her clitoris manually."<ref>{{cite web |author=Chung, Emily Queenie |date=2000-08-29 |url=http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=3004 |title=Sex on Tuesday: Sex in Berkeley |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> Sexual Health Resource notes that also "the man can reach under and stimulate his partner using his fingers on her clitoris" although "the man has limited use of his hands" (presumably this would depend on the variant of the position used and whether the man's hands are occupied holding himself up).<ref name="shr"/>
+Sexual activity in the missionary position, as a form of physical exercise, may be slightly more vigorous for the man than in other positions. A study conducted by Bohlen et al. found that "man-on-top coitus required more metabolic expenditure than woman-on-top coitus" and that the heart rate during man-on-top sex was higher than in self-stimulation, partner stimulation, or woman-on-top.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rerkpattanapipat, P. |date=February 2001 |url=http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/22/3/201.pdf |format=PDF |title=Sex and the heart: what is the role of the cardiologist? |publisher=Oxford Journals |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> In contrast, one study showed that there was no difference in heart rate or blood pressure when comparing these two basic positions, while another showed only a minor decrease in oxygen consumption or exertion with the 'man-on-bottom' technique during orgasm.<ref>{{cite web |author=Schwarz, E.R. J Rodriguez, J. |year=2005 |url=http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v17/n1s/full/3901422a.html |title=Sex and the heart |publisher=International Journal of Impotence Research |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>
+==History==
+[[File:Sexual scene at a red-figure tondo of a kylix at the Museo nazionale (Tarquinia).jpg|thumb|right|Ancient Greek pottery art, where legs are placed on shoulders]]
+[[File:Indiaerotic2.jpg|thumb|right|[[India]]n couple in the missionary position]]
+{{See also|History of human sexuality}}
+The position has been used at least for millennia if not longer since it is also used by the great apes,<ref>Katharine Sanderson, [http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080214/full/news.2008.578.html "Gorillas in the missionary position"], Nature, February 14, 2008.</ref><ref>F. Dixson, John Brancoft, "Primate Sexuality: Comparative Studies of the Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Human Beings", Oxford University Press, 1998.</ref> as well as other primates.<ref>Simon Denison, [http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba8/BA8FEAT.HTML "From modern apes to human origins"], British Archaeology, no 8, October 1995.</ref> Robert Francoeur notes that evidence of the missionary position's use appears in ancient pottery and art in the [[Fertile Crescent]] as well as in the art of Early Greeks, [[Roman art|Romans]], [[Peruvian arts|Peruvians]], [[Indian art|Indians]], [[Chinese art|Chinese]] and [[Japanese art|Japanese]].<ref name="Francoeur">{{cite web |author=Francoeur, Robert |url=http://www.nerve.com/dispatches/francoeur/hwjdi/ |title=Dominant Theory |publisher=Nerve |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> The majority of the positions described in the [[Kama Sutra]] involve the woman lying on her back with her legs in a variety of positions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://skelbimas.lt/asirtu/archive_en/sexualpositions.htm |title=Sexual Positions |publisher=Sex Encyclopaedia |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref> According to Canongate, ancient art shows missionary as being less popular than [[woman on top (sex position)|woman-on-top positions]] in Ur, Greece, Rome, Peru, India, China and Japan.<ref name="Canongate">[http://web.archive.org/web/20051013075727/http://www.canongate.net/Lists/SexLoveAndMarriage/6PositionsForSexualIntercour 6 Positions for Sexual Intercourse - In Order of Popularity]. Canongate. Retrieved on January 7, 2008.</ref> But Francoeur states that the ancient Chinese preferred male-on-top because of their belief that males are born face down and women face up. Kagaba natives in Colombia preferred missionary because of the stability it offers; they believed that if the woman moved during intercourse, the earth would slip off the shoulders of the four giants who held it up above the waters.<ref name="Francoeur"/> Some [[Kerala]] tribes believe that the male-on-top position is the only way to conceive warriors.<ref name="Francoeur"/>
+In Greece, the missionary position was originally an unpopular position. Beds existed, yet not as we know them today, and men married girls 14 or 15 years of age, which created a height differential. These factors made the rear-entry standing position more convenient.<ref>{{cite book|author=Tarkovsky, Sacha|title=Sex in Ancient Greece Views Towards Sex Positions}}</ref> However, circa the second century, Artemidos popularized the missionary position among Greco-Roman Stoics, declaring it "the only proper and natural" position due to the flow of [[semen]].
+Although the Bible does not mention sexual positions, from the 6th to 16th centuries, some Church authorities taught that intercourse should be face-to-face, man-on-top, primarily because they believed that semen flows with gravity, leading to conception.<ref name="pmid14992209"/> Exceptions were made for couples dealing with illness, obesity, or pregnancy. According to John Bancroft's ''Human Sexuality and Its Problems'', [[Thomas Aquinas]] believed that crimes against nature included intercourse in "unnatural" ways. Protestants did not communicate proper sex positions, and the Catholic Church eventually abandoned its discourse on the topic.<ref>Priest, 38.</ref> Simon Hardy wrote that the missionary position was used to distinguish "bestial and civilized sex."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hardy |first=Simon |title=The Greeks, Eroticism and Ourselves |journal=Sexualities |volume=7 |issue=2 |year=2004 |id=ISSN 1363-4607 |doi=10.1177/1363460704042164 |page =201 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref>
+Others who held that missionary was the only permitted position included [[Alexander of Hales]] and the author of ''De secretis mulierum'',{{Clarify|date=March 2008}} who suggested that nonstandard positions might result in birth defects.<ref>Brundage, James A. ''Law, sex, and Christian society in medieval Europe''.</ref> Ruth Mazo Karras states that [[William Peraldus]]' treatise ''Summa de virtutibus et vitiis'' distinguished between sins against nature that were "according to the substance" (intercourse other than vaginal) and "according to the manner, as when a woman mounts."<ref>Karras, Ruth Mazo. ''Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing Unto Others''. p. 83.</ref> Nicholas Venette's 1770s-era sex manual praised the missionary position as the "common posture...which is most allowable and most voluptuous."<ref>Trumbach, Randolph. ''Sex and the Gender Revolution''. p. 107.</ref> Numerous sources have reported that in the [[United States]], some states had outlawed positions other than missionary between husband and wife, or will grant a divorce to a woman whose husband makes love to her in another position. While many states formerly outlawed [[oral sex]], [[anal sex]], [[buggery]], or other "unnatural" acts, no US law has banned dorso-ventral heterosexual sex, or specified which partner needed to be on top.<ref>Priest, 39.</ref>
+==Popularity==
+Among humans, the missionary position is the most commonly used sex position.<ref name="Roberts"/><ref name="Colombia"/><ref name="Weiten, 2008">{{cite book|authors=Wayne Weiten, Margaret A. Lloyd, Dana S. Dunn, Elizabeth Yost Hammer|title=Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century|isbn = 0495553395|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|year=2008|page=423|accessdate=January 5, 2012|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Y6QRJb40C84C&pg=PA423&lpg=PA423&dq=Missionary+position&source=bl&ots=XDGnz2w0Oi&sig=IM4MY232rIT-pyQGn48AX093wxY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=pwtJUKvDAdTKyQHf8IGIAw&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=Missionary%20position&f=false}}</ref> In his seminal study ''[[Sexual Behavior in the Human Female]]'' (1953<!--NOT 1959!-->), which focused on American women, researcher [[Alfred Kinsey]] stated that 91% of married women surveyed reported using this position most often, whereas 9% reported using it exclusively.<ref>{{cite book |author=Kinsey, Alfred |year=1953 |title=Sexual Behavior in the Human Female |isbn=0-253-33411-X}}</ref> A ''[[The Journal of Sexual Medicine]]'' study entitled ''What Kind of Erotic Film Clips Should We Use in Female Sex Research? An Exploratory Study'' selected 18 film clips out of a sample of 90 that were found by the women studied to be particularly mentally appealing and visually arousing. 21% of the original 90 involved the missionary position, but 33% of the final 18 involved missionary.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Woodward |first1=Terri L. |last2=Collins |first2=Karen |last3=Perez |first3=Mindy |last4=Balon |first4=Richard |last5=Tancer |first5=Manuel |last6=Kruger |first6=Michael |last7=Moffat |first7=Scott |last8=Diamond |first8=Michael P. |title=What Kind of Erotic Film Clips Should We Use in Female Sex Research? An Exploratory Study |journal=The Journal of Sexual Medicine |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=146–154 |doi=10.1111/j.1743-6109.2007.00641.x |year=2007 |pmid=17956555 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref> Fewer than 10% of sexually active persons rarely or never use the missionary position.<ref>Kanner, Bernice. ''Are You Normal About Sex, Love, and Relationships?'' p. 51.</ref> According to Francoeur, the Brazilian Bororo Indians eschew missionary, finding it insulting for either partner to be above the other during sex.<ref name="Francoeur"/> Balinese shun the man-on-top position in favor of the Oceanic position due to their perception of the former as being impractical and clumsy.<ref name="Francoeur"/> The Cashinahua people use the missionary position to stay stable when they have sex in a forest stream to avoid insect bites.<ref name="Francoeur"/> The inhabitants of [[Inis Beag]] practice the missionary position exclusively, with very limited foreplay.<ref name="Francoeur"/> In addition to humans, the missionary position is also used by certain other species including [[bonobo]]s,<ref>[[Frans de Waal]], "Bonobo Sex and Society", ''Scientific American'' (March 1995)  82-86.</ref> [[gorilla]]s,<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23148063/ Caught in the act! Gorillas mate face to face]</ref> and [[armadillo]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Fall99Projects/armadillo.htm |title=The Biogeography of the Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) |year=1999 |publisher=Raquel Avila}}</ref>
+==See also==
+*[[Beast with two backs]]
+*[[Human sexuality]]
+==References==
+{{Reflist|30em}}
+==External links==
+{{Commons category|missionary positions}}
+* [http://coitalalignmenttechnique.com/coital-alignment-technique-how-and-why/ The How and Why of Coital Alignment Technique]
+* [http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201010/easier-orgasms-women-in-the-missionary-position Easier Orgasms for Women in the Missionary Position]
+{{Sex}}
+{{Sexpositions}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Missionary Position}}
+[[Category:Sex positions]]

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