What is "normal" human sexual behaviour?

Question

In the animal world, there have been many studies based on mating rituals, and clear patterns emerge about behaviour patterns both for the species and between genders.

Some attempts have been made to apply the same kinds of studies, most notably in books including "The Naked Ape" by Desmond Morris.

It occurs to me that in Western Society, a great deal of our "moral code" is designed to control, or associate guilt with our natural impulses, often those imposing guilt also offer forms of absolution and in so doing exert enormous psychological control over those who feel guilt.

It is also interesting to note that some of the most vocal repressors of sexuality are oft times exposed to be highly deviant themselves (viz Ted Haggard).

Students of history and culture will also note the changing attitudes to age of consent, homosexuality, polygamy, promiscuity and deviance throughout the ages so...

What is "normal" human sexual behaviour?

Answer 1

Normal is a social construct. What is considered normal is a product of the time, dominant culture and constructed society we live in. So it's a moving target. What is considered normal in North America today is different from what was considered normal in Asia a thousand years ago.

One thing that seems completely normal to me is that humans are always going to want to control other humans' behaviour. To understand the hypocrisy of such efforts, you don't have haul out Ted Haggard. It is ever present in our consumerist society. It is in the selling that you will find the cutting edge of what is "normal" sexual behaviour. S & M, Child porn, homosexuality, subjugation of women, subjugation of men - all have been used in advertising one product or another. Let's have our ten year old girls dress up as hookers (sorry, no offense to hookers, but you know what I mean) and then promote abstinence.

But don't get me started....

Answer 2

I didn't think that there was anything AT ALL abnormal about sex for there to have to be certain part of it that is normal... the way I see it, as long as its consensual for all parties involved, EVERYTHING about sex is very normal and quite good, may not be so for some others, for their own reasons - either they identify with asexuality or perhaps simply their personal choice, whether religious or non-religious. Speaking of which, I think that religion should be a personal or individual matter, not involved in politics/government, as it has become a norm to embrace certain religious ideals in a secular society, such as the issues against LGBTs, common even among non-religious people, yet in the animal kingdom there are animals whom are bisexual, why then would it be abnormal for some humans to be attracted to their own gender, or both genders?

Ah, I can go on and on...but it would become a rant and I do enough religio-political ranting in private life anyways, my religious and non-religious friends get a kick out of it, but Y!A posters may not feel the same, hehe. ;-)

Answer 3

In order to determine what is 'normal' we would need to trace humankind backwards to a time when we - like every other species on the planet - lived in the natural world. The most 'pure' and 'unadulterated' form of this would be as gather-hunter tribes.

But we don't live the natural world - we live in a totally artificial world. We have bulldozed nature into the ground.

The answer to your question is that there is no answer. There is no 'control group' we can compare our own behaviors against.

ps: the most sexually repressive societies are agrarian societies, not industrialised ones. This has been the case throughout history and remains so to this day.

Victorian England was a FREAK OF NATURE!

Answer 4

Without restraint humans would have sex so much that civilized society as we know it, would collapse. This is the most heavily guarded secret of the most vocal repressors of which you speak.
They understand that sexual repression weakens the self worth of the individual creates confusion and then supplements you with a false sense of security. I think it's likely that STD's are desined to reinforce this. The cures are all out there, you just have to be in the cult to get them. When you want to tame an indigenous tribe you send in a missionary.

Answer 5

Normal isnt the right word obviously considering the rest of your message, so perhaps 'proper' sex would be when two mutually involved people have an intellectual, physical and spiritual coupling of their whole mind, body and soul... and suprise surpise it wouldnt be penetration focused either (well not entirely). Anything short of this is a comprimise, and if not agreed upon by both parties, can be considered selfish at the least.

Natural impulse can be completely irrelevant to 'proper normal' sex, unless your having sex with yourself in which case anything goes in my opinion - so all these concepts of moral code etc should be about protecting people from predatory and selfish sexual practises.

Answer 6

Because God doesn't seem to physically interact with this world. Furthermore, God also seems to grant a huge amount of autonomy to his creations, as seen with letting Adam and Eve eat the fruit and whatnot. If God exists, he's bound to be a very 'do what you will' kind of god.

Answer 7

If you are speaking of the layman's way of using the word "normal" then it would mean the average sexual behaviors an average human being emits. If you are speaking of "normal" in terms of psychology then normal is anything outside the realm of impaired daily functioning.

Answer 8

"Normal" human sexual behaviour? There is no such animal. lol. Sexuality is fluid, as is morality. I think each person must go deep within and decide what is right for him- or herself. And then when he or she is ready to connect with another sexually, he or she must make sure that they are both on the same wavelength, that they are both entering into the same consensual, sensual agreement, so to speak.

I would never presume to tell another person what is right or wrong for him or her. Sexual sovereignty is very important to me. By the same token I don't like it when a person tries to tell me what is right for me. I will go to my grave,Twilight, saying to each his or her own. Live and let live. Viva la difference.

Answer 9

it is to want to have sex all day 24-7 i do

Answer 10

Get a stiffy/get wet and then do the hibbidy dibbidy!