Missionary position

For the book by Christopher Hitchens, see The Missionary Position.

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The missionary position

The missionary position is a common human sex position also used by bonobos and armadillos. 100% of married females surveyed by Alfred Kinsey in Sexual Behavior in the Human Female reported using this position most often, and 9% reported using it exclusively.

In the missionary position:

• The woman lies on her back, with her legs spread either flat (horizontally on the same surface as her back), drawn up toward her chest, or wrapped around the man. She can wrap one or both legs around him at various heights: resting on the back of his upper shins, around his thighs, around his buttocks/back or over his shoulders. Generally, the higher she lifts her legs, the deeper the penetration.
• The man lies on his stomach on top of the woman, his legs between her legs, and his groin at the same level as hers to facilitate penetration.

The name "missionary position" is commonly believed to have arisen because this sex position was taught by Christian missionaries as the only "proper" sex position. This is a myth. The term probably have originated sometime between 1945 and 1965.

Advantages of the missionary position

• Both partners can see each other, and make eye contact. Both partners get feedback from each other's facial expressions and sounds.
• They can combine sex with kissing on the mouth including French kisses.
• Penetration is relatively deep.
• The man's groin can press on the clitoris, depending on how it is performed.
• This position can produce a relatively quick male orgasm if so desired, but the control allows many men to go longer without orgasm.
• Some women enjoy the sensation of being somewhat submissive to the male, and being able to caress him as she chooses.
• This position requires very little suppleness from either partner.
• This position is not very tiring, and the woman particularly remains relatively relaxed. However, orgasm is most easily attained when the woman flexes the pubococcygeus muscles around the vagina. This type of sex is usually very sensual and emotional for both the male and female.

Disadvantages of the missionary position

• Either the man's weight is placed upon the woman (sometimes uncomfortable for the woman) or he must support his weight upon his arms and knees (tiring for the man).
• It can be difficult for partners to manually stimulate the clitoris.
• There is an absence of visual stimulation, as it is difficult to see each other's bodies.
• This position sometimes produces a quick male orgasm (premature ejaculation).

Anal sex

The term is also used for a similar position in anal sex, in which the partners likewise lie face to face with the receiving partner on the bottom. In order to achieve the correct insertion angle, the receiving partner's legs are usually raised, sometimes onto the penetrating partner's shoulders.

This position has many of the same advantages and disadvantages as the vaginal position. However, some receiving partners find the leg position required uncomfortable, whereas the vaginal missionary position is noted as a comfortable position for the woman.

See also

External links

• Schultz, W. W. (18 December). "Magnetic resonance imaging of male and female genitals during coitus and female sexual arousal". BMJ. 319: 1596–1600. PMID 10600954. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

Articles from The Straight Dope on the naming of the position:

• "Why is the "missionary position" called that?". The Straight Dope. Cecil Adams. 1992-08-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
• "Assuming the missionary position…again". The Straight Dope. Cecil Adams. 2005-06-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link) —refers to:
  • Robert J. Priest (February 2001). "Missionary Positions: Christian, Modernist, Post-Modernist". Current Anthropology.

SexInfo101.com A review of the missionary position with transitions into other positions.