SEX ED 601 (Unit 2)
Advanced Topics in Human Sexuality

This site is an online course in human sexuality written from the perspective of biologists, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, sexologists, theologians, gynocologists, urologists, physiologists, philosophers, and other professionals. Material has been derived from regular literature review, observation, and items submitted by readers.

Provided in the public interest by the OLCC (Open Love Christian Community)


 
 
Select: .............Unit 1..............Unit 2...........Unit 3 New!

 
ANASYRMA Anasyrma is a gesture meaning to lift up the dress or open clothing to expose the genitals. It applies to both males and females. The term is more commonly used today in reference to women raising skirts. Anasyrma is used in more of a cultural sense than ordinary exhibitionism or flashing which implies one is aroused by performing such a gesture. Anasyrma is usually done to evoke certain emotions in others (arousing or getting attention) rather than always being aroused oneself. It is more a playful, cultural (even religious) statement than an overt, paraphilic (deviant) crime. Frequently anasyrma is desired by both parties - the performer and viewer. Because it is sometimes evidenced in art work and other objects it is not such a stimatized crime such as exhibitionism involving a live person.

Thomas Moore in his popular The Soul of Sex states that anasyrma is common in ancient artwork just as it occurs in more modern cultural displays - ie. the photo of Marilyn Monroe in the white dress over the air vent and Sharon Stone's now famous movie scene in Basic Instinct. It is often evidence of true female sexual power. The ancient story of Demeter (mother goddess) and Baubo is one ancient cultural example. 

Children, says Moore, often gain pleasure from revealing their private parts to each other. It is commonly part of sibling sexuality which we cover later. This distinguishes consentual anasyrma (even if not acceptable to parents and teachers!) from crude, unwanted acts of exhibitionism. Most psychologists would regard the one form as largely healthy while the other one is clearly paraphilic and criminal. Moore also calls attention to some modern dances and burlesque shows as socially accepted ways of performing anasyrma - especially for women. 

One is hard to pressed to think of skimpy, short cheerleading costumes (with carefully matched colored underpants) to be anything other than a tame, slightly legitimate form of anasyrma - though genitals are rarely shown. However, covertly taken upskirt images which have been placed on the internet (now a minor subsculture) have resulted in legal action and criminal investigations. Thus some make a clear distinction between innocently viewing a dancer, cheerleader, or model in public and distribution of their images without permission. A woman may walk around town in a micro mini with no panties and enjoy men's attention. It would be a far different thing to her (perhaps) to have an intimate image mass-marketed in a way she cannot control. 

For some men and women a glimpse of the genitals is more erotic and tempting than full nudity. For some men a mini skirt is more arousing than a string bikini. The entire school girl fantasy culture (most recently resurrected by Britney Spears) has strong elements of anasyrma implied by the performances. Even if there is no real view of the genitals the potential and fantasy is placed in the mind. 

Thus anasyrma for a women may be a form of asserting female sexual power and influence as long as she maintains firm control. It is your more advanced "look what I have! You want it and can't have it, ha ha". Anasyrma is related to ordinary teasing but with a very potent, visual element. Parents almost always encourage their daughters to tease in far more acceptable ways. 

Moore correctly points out that anasyrma also includes revelation of the backside or buttocks. For the sake of clarity let us define the one form as genital anasyrma (front view) and the other as posterior anasyrma (rear view) when such acts can be distinguished. There is a great of posterior anasyrmac art in both heterosexual and homosexual cultures. As sociobiologists tell us, a woman teasing with a display of breast cleavage may be suggesting the viewer think about backside cleavage instead. The question may also be raised whether mooning such as performed by groups of young men is posterior anasyrma. We say yes. While often intended as an insult there is much humor, attention getting, and notoriety involved in such acts - just the thing classical anasyrma does. It is often done on a dare and this is very much in line with mode and purpose of acts throughout history and art. 

There is also an element of narcissism or self love for some persons in anasyrma. For others an interest in anasyrma may reflect an objectification or dehumanization of self. 

UNUSUAL PATTERNS OF SENIOR SEX Despite what we used to think senior citizens often remain sexuality active their entire lives. Stories of men in their 60's and 70's fathering children are common around the world and many prove to be accurate. Winn and Newton in the 1982 Archives of Sexual Behavior (Volume 11 Number 4) wrote an interesting article entitled Sexuality in Aging: A Study of 106 Cultures. This literature review and new study of senior sex confirms that seniors in most cultures are more active than their families and friends might assume - or dare to imagine. A few unusual highliights judged by our Western standards follow. 

Members of the Truk culture reported it was not uncommon for men as old as their 70's to practice cunnilingus with young girls, especially if they are impotent or too weak for intercourse. Elderly women also have intercourse late in life and even use village dogs when no men are available.

The older men of the Easter Islands sought out young women to satisfy them including younger prostitutes. They occasionally enjoyed young boys as well. The 60 to 80 year old women of the Lepcha people commonly look for the company of young and other available village men. In several cultures the authors found that older men who are impotent or have other limiting health conditions may enjoy fellatio in place of intercourse, sometimes with prostitutes. Fellatio may be the only way some can attain orgasm. 

The Cagaba Kogi of Colombia are in interesting case. Widows and other older women instruct youth in intercourse. A similar role of sexual instructor or sexual initiiator occurs with the Tupinamba tribe of Brazil. There is more than words involved here.

Winn and Newton also report it is common finding that seniors frequently loose their sexual inhibitions from their youth. Seniors, including both men and women, are reported to enchange very freely in sex talk, erotic jokes, sex tales, and even lewd gestures. The response of the wider culture ranges from disgust to amusement to valuing some of this expression for education. A few cultures even reported seniors more apt than others to grab themselves in a sexual way or seek to touch other's genitals, breasts, or buttocks. A few cultures attribute this lack of inhibition in women to the passage of menopause. The dirty old man concept is also a popular perception. It may be attributed to the fact that seniors are 1) more comfortable, familiar with their own sexuality than younger people, 2) can use their status and honored position for greater freedom, 3) have a sexual instructor and/or entertainer role, 4) may simply ignor cultural inhibitions and customs - ie. don't need to care about reputaton aand fear few stigmas, and 5) enjoy the attention such talk and gestures provide. 

SIBLING
SEX
Sibling incest or as we will call it sib sex is a common phenomenon. There are several solid studies which confirm the frequency of sib sex. One of the better ones is by Dr. David Finkelhor entitled Sex Among Siblings: A Survey of Prevalence, Variety, and Effect in the Archives of Sexual Behavior Volume 9 Number 3. About 15% of all females and 10% of males report significant and regular sex with siblings in their youth. 

We ought to distinguish the concept of sib sex which involves penovaginal intercourse (or attempts at it), penoanal intercourse, and oral sex from sexual touching or what is usually genital touching. There is much exhibition of genitals, flashing, or anasyrma. Dr. Finkelhor reports the following data on the number of survey respondents reporting each sex act. 
 
Age at time of activity/ Type of Activity 0-8 Years 9-12 Years 13+ Years
Exhibition of genitals 40% 24% 5%
Genital touching 53% 60% 64%
Intercourse or attempted intercourse 5% 15% 18%

These data show that about two-thirds of siblings (at least in this study) experience genital touching. While considered a "normal" part of development by many experts, it is somewhat surprising it seems even more common in the teen years. There is obviously more than early sexual exploration going on here. However, we suspect some of the pubertal touching may be more playful and teasing than occurs earlier in life. Exhibition of genitals does however seem to decrease in frequency as kids age. Intercourse or attempts at it understandably increase in the teen years. 

The study is interesting since it showed that sib sex was considered to be exploitive sex (ie. involving force, coercion) in 25% of the cases. Females were more likely to feel exploited or forced than males. Those with sib sex experiences before 9 years of age where more likely to have lower sexual self esteem than those with experiences over 9 years. 

About 33% or a third of survey participants said they had recollection of just one sib sex experience. Some 27% reported it occured at various times over a year or more. Only 12% told adults including parents, suggesting sib sex is still very much of a hidden, taboo form of sexuality in American culture. The numbers in the above chart should alert parents that even their "perfect" children from middle and upper class Amercan homes are very likely to have sex play of one sort of another. 

The question is raised whether early sib sex makes children more sexuality active or as some would phrase it promiscuous. Females with early sibling sexual experience were more likely to be sexually active later on. Among women aged 18-23 some 44% with no sib sex had intercourse. Among females 18-23 who had experienced sib sex a very significant 72% were having intercourse. Does early sib sex encourage activity in girls? Perhaps but one can also suggest that girls with a greater sex drive (perhaps by hormonal genetics) will seek out sib sex and teenage intercourse as the result of a single common factor. 

The relationship between male homosexual sib sex and mature homosexual experience was also surveyed. Rather than define homosexual orientation, Finkelhor posed the question as "having a homosexual experience within the last year". 8% of boys with no sib sex said yes. 10% of those with various (hetero and homo) sib sex had such an experience. But a significant 23% of those with homosexual only sib sex had homosexual sex in the last year. Some would suggest that early homosexual sib sex "causes" some of the observed gay orientations. But if one accepts gay men are "born that way" one can also propose boys so oriented would seek out and tolerate early same sex experiences with their brothers. As with the stats involving women and sexual frequency one can either accept a casual theory or an early expression theory. The truth of course may be inbetween such as one's environment encouraging a genetic predisposition. 

Finkelhor like other authors is quick to state that while his and other studies show SOME sib sex is consentual, pleasant, and positive, there is no clear mandate for encouraging or supporting sibling sex. The 25% of children who have negative, exploitive memories are certainly vulnerable and a major risk in our culture. The lower sexual self esteem of those under 9 must be noted with concern. This study was also of middle and upper class Americans and certainly cannot be extrapolated onto other groups and cultures. 

MALE
SEXUAL
FANTASIES
Much has been written about the kinds of sexual fantasies males are most likely to have. One of the more interesting sets of data comes from Crepaul and Couture in Men's Erotic Fantasies in the Journal of Sexual Beahvior Volume 9 Number 6. 

The most frequent sexual fantasy at 84% of respondants was sex with someone other than their regular parnter. Coming in at 77.7% was both fantasies about female body parts and sex with "perverted" females. Somewhat surprising (at least to women) may be that 74.5% had fantasies about ejaculating in a woman's mouth. Some 61.7% had ideas about initiating a young girl which suggests the hebephile fantasy (sex with teen girls) is big part of modern, adult male thinking. Some 57.4% had romantic scene fantasies - a figure much lower than reported for women elsewhere but higher than some would otherwise believe of men.

Rape fantasies by a female upon them came in next at 45.8% - a figure comparable to what other studies show for women about a simulated rape by men! Virgin sex has a 43.7% frequency in this study. Being observed during sex is 40.4% while being tied up by a female registers among 39.4% of the men. Older female sex is 37.2% while prostitution fantasies are lower at 31.9% - ladies take not here! Having public sex is 30.9%.

Receiving anal intercourse is 19.1% which is close to homosexual fantasies at 18.1%. Being beat up by a female is rather low at 10.7% - as compared to the "tied up by female" frequency at 39.4% - there's obviously ego involved here. Sex with animals was a fantasy for 5.3% of men - surprisingly high we think. Among the least common fantasy was initiating a young boy at 3.2%, a number which will alarm some and comfort others. 

Very interesting was data stating that 75% of males were more aroused by semi-nudity (ie. bikini, lingerie, dress, shorts). Only 17% felt full nudity was more appealing. Some 7.8% felt it made no difference in their fantasy attraction experience. These figures certainly explain the success of the bathing suit and lingerie industries.

PRAISEX Praisex is a form of sacred sexuality used by some liberated or free love Christians to integrate sexual expression with Christian worship. Unlike other forms of sacred sexuality which utilize techniques from Eastern religions, Praisex is devoted solely to expressions of praise and worship to the Christian Trinity - Father (The Hebrew Jehovah), Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Christian participants bond through the Christian love feast or Agape, sharing sexual love among each other. The bond extends vertically to God, forming links among humans and their Creator. The ecstatic expressions of worshipers are devoted to words of praise such as "Praise you Jesus" or "Thank you Lord". Though some critics have described this as Christianized neo-pagonism, Praisex has a firm historical basis from documented writings by and about early Christians.

The Praisex Rituals are a set of worship techniques and principles that incorporate sexual symbolism with Christian worship and celebration. Praisex practioners regard nudity, sexuality, and erotica as good, natural creations of God. With the removal of sin's punishment by Christ (through his life, death and resurrection), nudism and sexuality are considered free and wholesome enjoyments. The term Praisex was coined by members of the Open Love Christian Community, the editors and sponsors of this site. The OLCC site contains much more material on Praisex and Christian sacred sexuality. 

POSITIONS: "STANDING INTERCOURSE" Standing intercouse or what the Kama Sutra calls sthitarata is not as widely practiced in modern times as it was once. But it is kind of thing one can decide to do for variety even when the circumstances do not suggest it.. Standing intercourse is most often practiced in crowded cities where bedrooms or hotel rooms are not available or affordable. In the modern office it may be practiced in a utility closet or restroom stall.

Variations of the standing intercourse include the following:

1. Vaginal intercourse face to face with both partners standing on the floor. 
2. Vaginal intercourse with the man approaching the woman from behind and both partners with feet on the floor. 
3. Anal intercourse with the man approaching his partner from behind. In variation 3A a female receives while in 3B a male receives.
4. Vaginal intercourse face to face with the woman supporting her back against a wall. Variation 4A involves the woman supported by the wall and the man's hands. Variation 4B adds he legs or ankles over the man's shoulders or neck. This variation some long-legged woman to use her legs as levers for shifting up and down on his shaft. Variaton 4C involves just one of her legs on his neck or shoulder, the other one hanging down along his waist. 
5. Vaginal intercourse face to face with the woman supporting herself against or along a column, post, table, or other piece of furniture. 
6. Vaginal intercourse face to face with the woman supported only by the man's hands under her buttocks and her arms around his neck. Thus he carries her and may raise her up and down on his penis. This has been termed to carry position and one variation of the hanging position. In Variation 6A the couple stands free of objects while in 6B the man may lean against a wall or furniture. 
7. Vaginal intercourse with the woman supported by her hands against a wall and he legs surrounding the standing male's hips. He supports her midsection or thighs with his arms. The two may form a 45 to 90 degree angle between their bodies. In Variation 7A she holds he legs narrowly against his thighs, gaining more support. In Variation 7B she spreads he legs more widely with him holding he thighs. 
8. The "69" position with one partner holding the other's body while he or she stands. Variation 8A is heterosexual, 8B lesbian, and 8C gay males. In Variation 8A is usually the male who holds the woman. The standing pattern must be quite strong, bearing the entire weight of the his or her partner. 
9. Intercourse where one partner is supported by a swing or other device suspended from the ceiling.
10. Intercourse where one partner is supported by a toilet with knees on the seat where the man approach them from behind. This is sometimes called bathroom sex or stall sex. There is at least one adult video with this theme. It is very convenient for homosexual sex in public places. Guys have been known to smuggle girls into men's rooms for the same reason. 

EROTIC POGONOTOMY OR
SHAVING
Pogonotomy sounds painful but it only means the removal of hair by shaving. This is in contrast to depilation which usually implies removal by electrolosis, plucking, or pulling. Erotic pogonotomy or shaving involves shaving hair on or near the genitals to create sexual arousal - often as part of foreplay.

Advantages of erotic pogonotomy include greater sensitivity of the skin, clearer view of genitals, and improved hygiene due to removal of bacteria-holding hairs. For some people that also means less itching (ie. jock itch) and more comfort in and out of clothes. Some devotees are merely fond of the young look such as a prepubertal vulva or penis - though they might not admit such a fantaasy. Others only shave part of the hair such as the testicles or regions adjacent to the labia. We have heard a few stories about how common it is for strippers to shave each other's bikini lines and do a bit of trimming as part of post-show stress relief.

Some people express arousal by shaving hair from their male partner's chest, nipples, and back. Shaving a woman's legs is as erotic for some people as shaving around the genitals. 

The occasional fan of shaving even carves little shapes from the remaining hair such as a valentine heart, animal, initials, or arrow pointing you know where! The term erotic barbering has been used for this speciality which can require a good deal of skill. Sometimes hair coloring, piercing, and tattoos are combined with the shaving skills. For example, we once saw a lady who had a lion tattooed above her vulva. The mane was real hair and the ring through her clitoral hood looked as if it was through the beast's nose! Hair coloring should be left to the professional or expert since many products can damage the skin in such sensitive areas. 

Some tips we've compiled from erotic shaving fans include the following:

1. Don't do it when you or your barber is drunk or high. You just might regret it or make a painful mistake. 
2. Trim long hairs (over half an inch) first with small scissors. A set of electric trimmers with a plastic guard or protection head is useful and can start the stimulation. Their vibrations can also be very pleasant. 
3. Take a long hot bath or soften the area with a warm towel first.
4. Be generous with shaving cream but be sure you can see everything you need to see. Some people are allergic to some creams so go with a hypoallegenic, unscented type when in doubt. Remember any menthol, aloe, or whatever is included in the cream while flavor your oral sex experience even after strong washing.
5. Never ever use Nair or other depilation creams on or close to the genitals. Use those hair removals creams, waxes, gels, and sugars only as advised. 
6. Use a new razor blade or a newly prepared straight razor. If you have a real forest to cut down you may need two blades or some sharpening along the way. And always use lots of TLC. There's nothing to spoil an erotic and/or romantic mood than clumsy, over zealous use of a razor blade.
7. Cut in the direction of the hairs (with the grain) on the first one or two strokes. Shave closer in the opposite direction (against the grain) only when the hairs are very short. Reapply shaving cream frequently as needed.
8. Disinfect with antibacterial/deodorant soap and lots of water. 
9. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. This closes the pores, cools the skin, and soothes some of the razor burn. 
10. Do a final touchup to catch any missed hairs or unkempt edges. 
11. Have some really hot oral sex....
12. Wash the area again. If you stand it use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for serious disinfection of the surface. The potent "real" ethanol plus herbs in Listerine is also handy if you can handle the odor. Alcohol REALLY burns so unless you're used to it or into S & M. Use the alcohol LATER after the pores have closed if the shavee is sensitive. Peroxide is a potent topical agent but any stray droplets can stain or bleach underwear, clothes, and bed sheets. However if you're doing a bit of hair bleaching peroxide just might serve two purposes at once. 
13. After the sex is over condition the area with aloe, skin conditioner, lotion, or body powder. Some of these products (especially greasy lotions) can encourage infection so use with care and from experience. Some people swear by mild antiperspirant/deodarant roll-ons while they bother other people in such sensitive areas. 
14. Keep the area washed at least twice a day. Disinfect and/or powder the area as necessary to keep it sanitized and dry. Sweat and skin oils can help bacteria multiply wildly in an hour or two. You just might end up with a crotch full of ensightly red bumps just before a big date or orgy. Sometimes one or two infected hairs or red spots cannot be avoided. If you are inclined to reuse your underwear or clothes a second day or so you're really asking for trouble. If you have a dirty, sweaty job, are overweight, or exercise often extra care is needed. 
15. Most people get the itches very bad as the hair starts to grow in. It is hard to avoid. It can also be very embarassing to get such an attack at a board meeting or while talking to a colleague at work! You can use try anti-itch products like Lanocane or Gold Bond if it is driving you mad. Usually this problem only lasts a day or two. 
16. If your first one or two times at erotic shaving ends up being unpleasant or unslightly try something different next time. Go longer between shavings to allow the epidermis of your skin to naturally heal. Look for a product you tolerate well that will keep the area dry, clean, disinfected, and cool. 

When all goes well there is nothing so sweet for some people than to spend a leisurely hour or so licking a freshly shaved pubic area of a friend or two or three...

MYSOPHILIA In mysophilia a person (usually male) is aroused or attains orgasm by "degradation or defilement" with soiled or sweaty clothing or articles of menstrual hygiene. The term literally means "love of uncleanness". The mysophile may enjoy panty sniffing or smelling any dirty clothing of a female. It may be associated with a particular female (on which he is obsessed) or simply females in general regardless of identity of attraction. Some males rub themselves with used panties, hosiery, used menstrual pads, socks, and other objects. Such "deviant" individuals may make special trips to laundry rooms or co-ed gyms for the purpose of stealing such objects. Others rummage through trash while the extreme devotee may even break and enter, establishing a criminal record.The modern college panty raid may in fact have a connection to mysophila for some males - perhaps a means of legitimizing (sometimes) an otherwise strange practice in terms of tradition and culture. 

Sometimes mysophilia is more of a talismatic fetish where any object related to female anatomy or female apparel is considered erotic. Obviously the panty raid is a form of trophy taking with strong sexual connotations. But a true mysophile is aroused by soiled panties rather than new, clean ones. Some males associate their first experiences of masturbation with a collection of female clothing used in the process. In rarer cases mysophilia strays into transvestitism where a male actually wears the soiled undergarments and even menstrual products while masturbating. In some documented cases men have been aroused by inserting new or used tampons into their anus. Some males do not really desire to degrade or defile themselves (as the term is usually defined) but more associate themselves with anything female and taboo for males. Sometimes it starts with exploring their mother's or sister's private drawers, creating a sense of taboo and mystery any time such discovery is repeated. For some men the feminine mystique takes on very olfactory forms. Obviously this is very complicated set of psychological conditions. 

Most of us associate good, active sex in bed with the scents of sweat. Thus for some people sweat-scented undergarments become connected in the mind with aroma of the bedroom and its pleasure. Scents are powerful triggers to our memories. The familiar, unique odor of a lover (even on their undergarments) may bring us back to pleasant times. More than one man has found worn panties under his bed and discovered the scent a potent reminder of a now departed goddess. Ladies sometimes do the same.

Dr. Pranzarone in his Dictionary of Sexology states that mysophila is related to coprophilia (aroused by taste or smell of feces) and urophilia (aroused by sight, taste or smell of urine). Renifleurism more specifically is arousal by the smell of urine. 

Automysophiia refers to arousal with one's own soiled or used garments. It is believed to be very rare and is often associated with masturbation. 

Mysophilia is something of a subculture that is of course magnified on the internet. Years ago sexologists were surprised to find ads in sex magazines placed by women willing to sell "used panties". There was apparently some business because the ads continued for a long period of time. Couples devoted to such things, we understand, regularly exchange articles with each other. 

For all the deviance associated with mysophila it is not always done by a solitary male. Some men in striping their female partners enjoy a playful sniff of their panties and pantyhose. If the two partners have just been jogging or exercising one might find reciprocal mysophilia with her, also enjoying his sweaty briefs and jockstrap. Mysophilia may in some rare situations preceed the practical of menstrual intercourse, that is, having sex while the woman is on her period. 

Couples involved in bondage and discipline (B & D) may use mysophilia such as forcing another person to lick, chew, sniff, or wear soiled garments. B & D mysophilia may even involve the use of soiled panties as gags and unclean pantyhose as rope. Some couples become very involved in menstrual and toilet hygiene - the details of which we will leave to your imagination. 

Mysophilia may in fact have a strong biological element to its appeal. Some researchers believe humans have strong pheromones that are vital to sexual arousal. The role of the Vomero Nasal Organ in the appeal of body odors is much debated; particularly as the organ is not as developed in humans as in other species. Several fragrance companies make claims about including secret pheromones in their formulae. There is probably a better case for sweat and urine containing such substances as opposed to feces and menstrual fluid. However we do know many mammals mark their territory and locate themselves for mates by urination or with fecal mounds. Devoted hunters spend good sums of money each year of the urine of various species in question. The materials obviously work. As much as we humans think of ourselves as higher creatures, it is certainly possible our urine, feces, and other bodily fluids contain potent chemicals that could contribute to arousal. Just how much conditioning as children affects our arousal or repulsion is anyone's guess. It has also been said the illusive Bigfoot or Yeti has been lured by used menstrual products hung from trees - suggesting males of that alledged primate are at least attracted by a soon to be available female. We're not sure how the local women sleep at night?

It has even been suggested the popularity of co-ed gyms and health clubs relates to our unstated, subtle attraction to each other's body sweat - which is augmented (especially for males) by visual stimulation. While few people admit to be lured by smelly socks, if there are such pheromones in sweat they are probably best enjoyed in small doses - separating normal, promising mates from filthy, undesirable ones. Research also suggests that women who are ovulating are more fond of the smell of male sweat than non-ovulating females. The Science of Sex program on A&E recently mentioned how men in the Balkins have a traditional dance where they rub their dripping bodies with hankerchiefs and wave them before the women. Other researchers suggest that our bodies today are so loaded with deodorants, fragrances, scented soap residue, and laundry fresheners there is little hope of arousing scents to get through. Perhaps then the fragrance free trend offers some potential to restore the positive influence of subtle body odors in public places.

SEXUAL
POSITION
COMPONENTS
(SPC)
A system of representing sexual positions without visual diagrams or photographs has been developed. The Sexual Position Components (SPC) style utilizes uppercase letters to describe the anatomy.

Blue letters represent male anatomy while the pink represents the female. The colors are also used to denote use or ownership of inanimate objects. For example, a D is a female using a dildo while D is a male using such. The main components used in standard SPC are as follows. Authors may define addition terminology for devices or subanatomies as desired. 

P = Penis
G = Gonads, balls or testicles
V = Vagina
C = Clitoris
AA = Anus
TT = Tongue
MM = Mouth or lips
KK = Kiss
BB = Breast or Nipple
11 = 1 Fingers
22 = 2 Fingers
33 = 3 Fingers, etc.
FF = Foot or toes
DD = Dildo or Vibrator
SS = Strap-on phallus

Basic penovaginal intercourse is represented as:

PV or VP

meaning penis connected to vagina. The above two representations are distinct. The first or foregoing letter indicate the uppermost or dominant partner. Thus the first represents a male who is on top or more active. The second order represent a female uppermost or more active. 

PA

represents a man having anal sex with a female while

PA

is between two males. The ability of the system to represent complex sexual interactions is reflected by this example:

T-GP-VB-T

A female is tonguing a man's testicles and penis while he has vaginal intercourse with a woman whose breasts are being licked by a second female. The dash (-) denotes the separation of individuals such as the two females at the right side of this threesome. 

One may take the SPC codes into 2-dimensions by using multiple lines such as:

P-VBM-PM-P
.....|.....
.....TV-P

Here we use a vertical separator (| or :). Reading right to left a man has his penis in a woman's vagina. One of her breasts is being licked by a second woman who is receiving the penis of second man in her vagina. The first woman (VBM) is sucking the penis of third man who in turn is sucking a fourth man's organ. Note the connections are P-V (Penis to Vagina), M-P (Mouth around Penis), and T-B (Tongue to Breast). To correctly space the partners use HTML spaces or simply a row of ..... colored like the background (black here).

Your basic heterosexual "69" looks like this, showing two connections:

MP
|.|
CM

A lesbian "69" would look like this:

CM
|.|
MC

As your assignment try to describe this bisexual daisy chain:

P-AP-VT-CM-PM-CT-CM-B

Some advanced use of the SPC will appear in a future unit.

MODES OF
MALE PROSTITUTION
The "oldest profession" among females is the subject of many studies and over 50 serious books at our local university. Much less has been devoted to study of male prostution. But with the rise of the AIDS scare and more sophisticated urban vice programs, the subject is getting more and more attention. 

Dr. Donald M. Allen provides a clear, scientific analysis in his paper Young Male Prostitution: A Psychosocial Study (Journal of Sexual Behavior Volume 9 Issue 5). Males hookers as a group tend to have "absent of ineffective mothers" (70%) and alcoholic, violent, and absent fathers (82%). Many were seduced by older males at an early age, finding reward, approval, and money connected to sexual favors. Some, the psychologists tell us, are looking for affective from older females and males as the result of a tragic home life. For some it may be a simple as a means of advancing one's self in society while catering to basic sexual needs. 

Male prostitutes in the US are usually between 15 and 23 years old, unemployed elsewhere, have a poor work history, and lower than average level of education. They have low to average intelligence and many come from low income homes. Many are dropouts and runaways even if their current economic status is high. Most have negative relationships with one or both parents, come from divorced or single parent homes, and have a history of violence and rejection in their early life. In Allen's study about 55% used pot while 42% report heavy drinking. Some 29% use multiple drugs while just 16% report no drug use. 

Allen classifies male prostitutes as four types but from other papers we have subdivided these into additional categories:

1. Full time bar and street hustlers. These men range from skilled pros to the newly homeless and runaways. They usually favor male clients since women in most cultures do not "cruise" streets and have access to many "free" males in bars. 

1.A. Subtype 1A has what Allen calls have exaggerated masculine features including dress, behavior, and gestures used to attract attention. These are more macho hookers that include the leather culture look and clothes that reveal well developed muscles. 
1.B. This subtype has effeminate appearance and gestures but wear male clothing. 
1.C. This subtype includes transvestites and drag queens. Some flaunt their cross-dressing identity while others closely simulate female hookers to lure unsuspecting males. We chose not to divid these two approaches since many transvestite hookers utilize both approaches to win customers. Some drag queens also earn money in stage shows and hook on the side. However professional drag queens have stated that very few of them are prostitutes where that such shows flourish.

2. Call boys which work for male escort services and usually find clients via pimps or their agency staff. They are less likely to hustle on the street or in bars. Allen found male hookers in his study to be 19% heterosexual while N.R. Coomb found a 72% hetero orientation. It is known that self-defined homosexual males do work with both female and male clients for economic reasons. Both Allen and Coomb found roughly a quarter of male prostitutes to be bisexual. One can imagine such men and their agencies have more flexibility (and therefore income) in obtaining clients.

Subtyles 2A (masculine), 2B (effeminate/male clothes), and 2C (testvestite) apply here as well. 

3. Kept boys which often live full time or part time with older and/or wealthy males. Allen and others classify them with Call Boys (2.) but we find a lifestyle distinction among many persons, though some work part time in both styles. Indeed it is fantasy of both male and female "call persons" to find a rich patron who will free them from burdon and risk of daily on-call duty. It is sometimes a matter of prestige about older, rich gay men to have one or more kept males who are lavishly paid and/or supported. Ditto for wealthy women in some societies. Such kept males may at times be disguised as personal assistants, family friends, pool boys, and even a cousin!

Subtypes 3A, 3B, and 3C for the three appearances may be applied here.

4. Part time/elsewhere employed male prostitutes often have low paying primary jobs or merely hustle occasionally for "extra money". Some even report working this way to buy their wives (!) and children Christmas presents and other gifts not otherwise affordable. For some the approach is purely economic and they deny any homosexual orientation. Indeed there is heterosexual in many communities for men willing to look for it. Our research suggests part-timers are more likely to find easy money in the gay market because street walking and the bar scene favors male clients. 

5. Recently discharged service men in some countries form a distinct category of prostitutes. We could also term this category transitional male prostitutes since it can apply to other trades where unemployment is high. Such men often hook as a transition to another job while a few turn into full timers in category 1. 

6. The Resentful drifter is a distinct class. This man has often had a hard life and is usually homeless, even if educated. They may hate the rich and hook part time to get by, traveling often. A few well known individuals have been serial killers. Some have dreams and even some success as drag queens or kept gay men. Some women have developed a risky hobby of befriending such men. 

7. Peer delinquents/hoodlums are especially common among teens. Unlike the drifter they may still live at home and have local gang affiliations. Usually they have a criminal background with prostitution being just one of their unlawful activities. They may use sexual blackmail and threats to extract money from wealthy, closeted gay men. Many convert their access to rob their female and male clients. One can imagine the popularity of using such males as part of gang and organized crime technique as it facilitates theft of jewelry, autos, bank funds, and other valuables. Homosexual prostitution may just a means to an end while others are openly gay. 

8. The Rural/Naive/Emotionally Retarded male prostitute has also been studied. These men could be described as simple country hicks by some and many of them end up as Category 1. full timers out of economic necessity in the big city. We know from investigations that young, naive girls are actively recruited in the American country by wealthy pimps. There is some evidence this occurs with handsome, unhappy, and abused young men as well. The recruitment of young prostitutes by organized crime and clever pimps in the rural towns of America has been described as one of the nation's "biggest dirty secrets". It can be a form of so-called modern white slavery though it is by now means restricted to caucasians. 

TERMINOLOGY
OF
SADOMASOCHISTIC
CULTURE
Murray and Murrel in their well researched 1989 book The Language of Sadomasochism present a number of interesting, less well known terms. We have selected a small selection for your interest and education:

Bald Eagle = shaved male genitalia
Birching = whiping with a smooth wooden switch or cane (syn. caning)
Boston Tea Party = brown showers = defecate on another person. For some people the term suggests liquidity and may be applied only to diarhhea by devotees of such deviations. 
Buggerclaw = a curved device with small projections used in anal sex
C & B = cock and ball torture - a subculture
Cherry Stuffing = placing foreign objects in the vagina. This is generally considered more than fingers and vibrators but often includes foods, household objects, crystals, talismans, and just about anything that will fit. This practice ranges from kinky sex play to true degradation of females. 
Enema Bandit = one who gives forced enemas to another (often a young woman) and then forces anal sex when it is least suspected.
English culture or English Arts = spanking and caning. It may involve English equestrian garb and horse whips but is also applied to simple use of any long piece of wood on bare flesh. 
Candling = applying hot wax from candles to a subject's body. This can range from a pleasant amusement to severe torture with very hot wax. The closer the candle is held to the body the more hot and painful the wax will feel. Just a few feet of extra "fall time" changes the wax's temperature and therefore it's intensity on the nervous system. 
Gerbiling = inserting a live gerbile (usually declawed and without teeth) via a greased tube into the anus for stimulation. The wriggling animal may stimulate the prostate. It will be removed by its tail after its death. The practice is believed to have originated in northern california gay culture in the 80's but has never been popular nor typical of those communities. Indeed some people consider it to be merely an urban legend. However hospital ER's have confirmed the practice when things went wrong such as excessive bleeding or tails breaking off! There are occasional, sometimes homophobic, jokes in popular media (ie. Imus in the Morning) made about this bizarre practice. It may have been suggested by the Vietcong doing a similar thing with small rats in the Vietnam war on captive US soldiers. However there the rats were ravenously hungry, had their teeth, and usually killed the subject over a period of long painful torture. 
Golden Nuggets = frozen urine that may be thrown as abuse. The subject may be required to suck the nuggets as a source of nourishment and debasement. 
Horizontal Bra = a metal or leather bra tightly applied in breast torture. The vertical bra is also used with a similarly. Some of these devises have a rather fashionable look and one sees them often in sadomasochistic artworks.
Infantilism = requiring a subject to dress as an infant or baby including diapers and/or rubber pants. The subject may be punished for soiling the diapers and spanked accordingly. He or she may be asked to beg for a bottle or breasts. Pacifiers and bibs are often used. All sorts of "mommy, daddy, and baby" scenarios may develop included simulated incest
Irish Culture = S&M culture involving a degree of violence and blood letting.
Ivory Rinse = being subjected to repeated ejaculation on the face or hair. In the adult video world this is known as the facial. A person given an ivory rinse may receive the ejaculate of several men to maximize the effect. In S&M culture it is more often of form of degradation than an tribute laced with DNA. 
Liquid Torture = forced use of enemas. In some cases urine enemas may be given by the master's penis. In extreme cases strong chemicals will be used, including some which can be very toxic or highly painful. 
M & M = mutual masturbation. One of the more modern forms of "safe" S & M used in some areas. Partners may seat next to the other, exchanging hands. People may also M & M with feet such as at a dinner table or while lying on a living room floor. Serious S & M fans however may "force" a subject to masturbate the master or mistress for hours, only receiving reciprocation for a well done act. 
Mummification = forcibly binding another person entirely in plastic wrap, bandages, or cloth after the Egyptian burial practice. The whole mysterious legend of Cleopatra or King Kut can be part of such fantasy experiments. 
Peanut Grinder = a device used to squeeze and torture the testicles. As any man knows rough play with the testicles can sometimes be pleasureful. So playing with the line between pain and pleasure can excite some people.
Tele-dom = a dominatrix who operates over the telephone, usually for a fee. The tele-dom may order the subject to inflict pain on themselves, communicating their pain and other sounds via the phone. 
Vanilla sex = ordinary "boring" intercourse

PRIAPISM Priapus is the god of reproduction from Greek and Roman mythology. He was portrayed as short, old, fat, and even balding yet with an oversized, erect penis at all times. Priapus was something of a comic character who also represented the profane and less subtle, more nearly pornographic side of sexuality. Some scholars say priapus was simply an ancient version of a cartoon character, not being worthy of too much deep analysis. He was carved from a block of wood and some say the term woody for an erection is traceable to Priapus.

While some consider Priapus to be merely a "dirty old man" sort of vulgar character others say he served merely for comic relief as an unlikely sex symbol. Others have relayed his story with serious intent, teaching lessons about sexual addiction and making him one of the less noble gods of mythology. Priapus was said to be the son of Aphrodite so there was something serious to his sexual pedigree. His father was either Hermes, Dionysus, Adonis, or Zeus according to various legends - suggesting he might have inherited a range of other traits. Dionysus with honored by the Greeks in a festive that involved waving large wooden phalluses. Priapus is not, contrary to one modern comic, the father of the god Viagra. 

Priapism is a serious medical condition characterized by a "constant woody" that cannot be brought down. As pleasant as it might sound, the experience is often very painful, being associated with a overengorgement of the tissue. If you've ever squeezed the base of a rock hard penis too much you may have heard about or felt some idea of priapic pain. Men suffering from priapism often have little or no sexual desire despite their readiness for such activity. If left untreated over time the condition can even result in blood coagulation, damage to internal tissue, and later impotence. The term is sometimes improperly applied or with humor to men who are constantly horny or have more erections than their partner can handle. 

The condition has many causes so it is easier to diagnose than cure. A great many cases today arise from abuse of drugs including trazodene and/or cocaine. About 40% of males (often African-American) having sickle cell anemia experience priapism sometime in the course of that disease. It can also occur from syphilis, injury to the penis, prostrate injury, urinary infection, leukemia, carbon dioxide poisoning, anti-depressant drugs, spinal cord injury, methanol (wood alcohol) poisoning, excessive sexual addiction (to the point of tissue and vascular injury), and black widow spider bites. It can even occur from marijuana use with or without cocaine. 

Some men find it to be a novelty (especially in a drug state) until the pain becomes unbearable. It is common for men to seek treatment after four to six hours of pain. The treatment usually involves removing blood from the cavernous tissue via a needle after the nerves have been numbed. Assessment for any of the above risk factors is usually conducted. 

There are very rare cases of female priapism in women who have a painful, persistantly engorged clitoris. 

BESTIALITY IN 
17TH AND 18TH
CENTURY SWEDEN
Jonas Liliequist in Peasants Against Nature (Journal of the History of Sexuality 1991) describes the cultural conditions surrounding bestiality in Scandinavia. Bronze Age rock carvings graphically illustrate the practice as does common mythology and oral tradition. One myth involves a girl kidnapped by a bear. The two mate and they produce a fierce son who later fathers the Danish royal family! 

Between 1600 and 1778 in Sweden some 600 to 700 young men and boys were executed along with certain accused animals for bestiality. Courts even made a point of isolating particular animals who were subject of such "love" and abuse. In fact bestiality accounted for some 25-35% of all capital punishment during some of those years. From 1635 to 1754 there were 1500 court trials for bestiality compared to just 8 for homosexuality. During those years there were 471 killed for bestiality while 5 were executed for homosexuality. 

In the court trials of 1668 to 1676 various associations between bestiality and Devil incarnations were made. There was even a report that the Devil appeared as a black dog. Witches reportedly copulated with him/it under the table. Bizarre tales of children being secretly married to cats, dogs, heifers, and sows were told. Family members were often called upon to testify again siblings, sons, and hired hands. As in many societies it was more comfortable to blame such acts on the occult or satanism than simply deviancy or willful abuse of moral law. 

Deformed or so-called monstrous offspring of farm animals were often attributed to matings with humans. Illustrations of such progeny are recorded by Liliequist. Various authorities and clergy attributed odd animal shapes to them being "half human". Doubtless a great many innocent animals were slaughtered. Legends of half human-half animal creatures persist in modern western culture. Tabloid stories about half alien-half animal hybrids are probably inspired by these old myths. 

Later there developed somewhat of an ambivalence to bestiality or what might even be called a tolerance for certain forms of it by certain people. Bestiality was defined as a crude, primative act by uneducated peasants. Zooerastia was the term used for similar practice by intelligent, educated persons who were merely degenerate souls. At one time bestiality among the common peasants was almost considered normal since they were considered near to animals themselves! Liliequest states that bestiality was considered "inherant and natural to peasant society". Thus bestiality was reduced to two explanations: 1) people who could not help it or know better as mere animals themselves, and 2) people who were merely degenerate and raised it to something of form of artistic and lifestyle expression by reason of their social privilage. 

Those who studied the problem of bestiality attributed it to a general lack of education and solid training in Christianity. Pre-marital sex too was forbidden and so repression played some part as well. Many farm boys attended neither school nor church and were isolated from good role models in society. Many lived apart from parents and other married couples as do cattle herders and cowboys. It was said the only sex they saw or heard about was between animals. Therefore they merely imitated their life experience. It is suggested the loud pleasure or emotional release provided to bulls was something boys might easily find interesting to imitate. Why homosexuality did not develop as a outlet is perhaps due to a lack of it in the general culture. There was also an unfavorable sex ratio of males to females, causing a what was called in 1741 a "difficulty in marrying". It was found that boys even taught each other such practices and sometimes made a game of sport over it - though in general it was a solitary practice. Boys in the age range of 7 to 12 were commonly brought up on charges.

The matter became so serious it resulted in governmental action. The Royal Ordinance of 1686 ordered women to herd cattle in place of boys. Milking too was considered improper and shameful for boys. In the repressed society frequent and extensive contact with the anatomy of cows could, they said, do nothing but arouse passions. The charge of a boy or man being a "cowmilker" was a major insult and one that might even be taken up in legal proceedings. Odd as this was men and boys were permitted free association with horses and other animals. 

In 1741 the Swedish Parliament took up the matter and discussed once again the "dangers of herding". Bestiality was attributed to various causes including poor education, lack of exposure to Christianity, lack of marriage opportunities, too much leisure time, geographic isolation, drinking, and lewd talk. 

CLITORAL-VAGINAL
ORGASM INDEX
Seymour Fisher in his noteworthy book The Female Orgasm does extensive literature review and presents many survey findings. Women reported their most intense orgasms and pleasure by body region in descending order of intensity:

A. Clitoral stimulation (most stimulating)
B. Vagina near clitoris
C. Inside labia/lips of vulva
D. Inside vagina
E. Outside labia/lips of vulva (least stimulating)

A seven state Clitoral-Vaginal Index was used to classify woman according to their personal orientation for orgasm pleasure. These seven states are:

1. Clitoris much more effective than vagina
2. Clitoris somewhat more effective than vagina
3. Clitoris a little more effective than vagina
4. Clitoris equal to vagina
5. Vagina a little more effective than clitoris
6. Vagina somewhat more effective than clitoris
7. Vagina much more effective than clitoris. 

Fisher noted that is was statistically significant that women who had a clitoral orientation were more likely to describe an orgasm as being "ecstatic". Those with a more vaginal orientation tended to describe an orgasm as making them "happy". 

WORLDWIDE
TRADITIONS OF
ADULT-CHILD INCEST
A great many societies and cultures around the world have a long and sometimes secret history of adult-child incest. It was and still is a good deal more widespread than most people can imagine and even today will admit. The entire concept of child sexual abuse was an unknown one in cultures where children are regarded as property and almost all sexuality unconnected with morality. 

The Fall 1991 issue of the Journal of Psychohistory has an extensive section entitled the Universality of Incest. While never excusing abusive behavior, the authors seek to explain that no one culture has more dirty little secrets than any other. A very detailed literature review provides much of the the following information. 

As early as 1927 Katherine Mayo in Mother India reported that it was common for Indian mothers to masturbate young boys and girls who were good and did their chores. Children slept in their parent's beds for years and observed a good deal of intercourse. They might also sleep in the beds of close relatives as part of family bonding or much worse. According to Sanghui in the Eugenics Quarterly (13: 291-301) uncle-niece marriages were common and may have sprang from early sexual relations. Grandfathers might even refer to their favorite granddaughters as "my little wife". Child brides were permitted until 1929 when a law was passed in the country. Such incest (and the inevitable pregnancies) are of much interest to geneticists since inbreeding on a wide scale does much to influence the genetic pool of a country. 

Incest has also been widespread in some parts of China. Abuse of children in temples, usually under some religious pretense, is also reported. The authors also made particular reference to the sexual elements behind binding of women's feet in China. Because it has elements of sexuality and torture there is some analogy to modern sadomasochism but on a very widespread scale. There is even a suggestion made that the long bound feet of the "ideal woman" was something of a substitute, female penis. Fathers and husbands were fond of sucking these deformed narrow feet in a way that clearly suggests some homoerotic appeal. Indeed husbands often engaged in foot sucking as part of foreplay. In a culture than has valued male children over female ones such a ritual transformation has some very deep psychological implications - though perhaps some scholars look for phhallic symbols more often than is justified. 

In Japan there has always been a tradition of pederasty in some religious temples. There are also reports of child geisha as young as five and seven being involved in sexual activity - though not all geisha relationships were or are this intimate. Researchers also state it was not uncommon for Japanese mothers to masturbate their young children to get them to sleep - a practice found in many other countries and cultures. In some homes it was not uncommon for children to sleep in their parent's beds until ten to fifteen years of age. The term dakine refers to adult-child co-sleeping which has even found a rival in American culture, though usually with no sexual connotations. Adult-child co-bathing among persons of all ages and sexes is still very common. Mother-son incest was not rare, particularly when fathers went to war or to work in distant factories. The social effects of such incest from World War II alone is staggering. There is some evidence that some mothers routinely taught their sons masturbation as part of toilet training. Some persons resent imposition of Western or Christian moral values on what are long-standing Asian customs - even though international bodies like the United Nations has sought to define international, cross-cultural standards for children's rights

Thai culture to this day tolerates a good deal of child sexual slavery though government agencies are trying to stamp it out. Very poor families have sold many thousands of their daughters into cruel urban prostitution. Western pedophiles have long traveled to Thailand on sex tours where both young girls and boys are readily available. Documentaries have recorded open galleries or showrooms of available children (sometimes now just young teens) which a tourist can pick from for variable fees. In one study 75% of Thai men said they had visited a child prostitute. It is not uncommon for Thai prostitutes to report earlier experiences of incest. 

The Middle East is also discussed with particular reference to female genital mutilation including very savage removal of the clitoris and labia. It is suggested the cruel practice may trace to Egypt where females mummies lacking a clitoris have been found. We were also surprised to read boys had their genitals cut, sewn, burned, cut, and ripped too - sometimes as penalty for crimes or to lesson sexual desires. Attention is also paid to the widespread use of female servants as sex objects and child marriage that occured in certain times in certain lands. While incest is very much taboo in most of Islamic society, it is even reported in strict, fundamentalist societies to this day. 

PENIS CAPTIVATUS Penis captivatus represents both a real occurence and a myth. The term is applied correctly to canines where the male's penis may become trapped or captive by the female's vagina. The male dog's penis swells AFTER penetration as does the vaginal walls in such a way the union can't be disconnected. This phenomenon you might imagine has an evolutionary value since the two animals cannot separate until after ejaculation and subseqent shrinking of two organs. Thus the enterprising, assertive male dog is almost assured that his semen (and genes) will get a fair shot. Such a strategy is important among species where mating is not always consentual or at least not very friendly by human standards. In other animal species the male's erect penis has backward facing spines and hooks so the female is pained if she pulls away before climax, encouraging her by strong reinforcement not to pull away. True penis captivatus involves tumescence and solid interlocking of genitals rather than painful inducement by special structures.

Penis captivatus has long been a sexual myth among humans. Not one single emergency room case or doctor's report among humans has even been substantiated. One report in a medical journal, says James McCary in Sexual Myths and Fallacies, turned out to be a hoax. With all the human sex research in laboratories it is has never been recorded. That said, there is the phenomenon of vaginismus or sudden vaginal muscle spasms. This may create a sudden, even frightening tightening on the penis. However vaginismus is by no means confining and rarely lasts more than a few seconds. Still for some human males the experience may be disconcerting. How the fear of penis captivatus by men relates (if at all) to the fear of the so-called vagina dentata or vaginal teeth (and perhaps a Freudian castration fear) is anyone's guess. 

FORMICOPHILIA This very bizarre paraphilia (deviant sexuality) exists where an individual is sexually aroused by snails, frogs, ants, or insects crawling over and even nibbling the genitalia, nipples, or other erogenous zones. It is considered a variant of zoophilia or sex with animals. The term derives from the Latin formica meaning ant. (Having kitchen sex on a Formica brand countertop doesn't count folks). As one might surmise from the accepted definition suggests the term is only applied to very small animals and insects. 

Snails and slugs with their slow, even slimy movement are erotic for some folks. If you've ever examined a garden slug on your arm or hand you might see how these strange, leisurely creatures inspire some people to create a wierd sex ritual. One devotee told us slugs on her nipples remind her of a sticky, very patient tongue. One guy said it amused him to watch the thing "conquer" his penis. 

Our research turned up the fact that some persons are aroused by use of spiders including their pet Tarantulas. This might fit within the defination of formicophilia though spiders are not insects. But given that arachnophobia is now a popular term (and a movie) we just might prefer the word arachnophilia for this bizarre lust. Given the very curious relationship humans have long had with spiders and long-standing mythology (trapped in a sexual web and black widow consuming mate after sex) this convergence is quite expected. We understand the occasional, rare S & M fan uses captive poisonous (ie black widow, brown recluse) spiders in a very risky (and not recommended!) way of stimulating mind and body. Black widow bites can cause the very painful disease of priapism - the most unbearable and harmful way to sustain an erection. One slave master even confined his subject behind the large web of an backporch orb weaver - which provided her with endless terror and excitement all hours of the day and night. Prisoner torture with insects and poisonous small animals is well established throughout history. Some people have a desire to bring it to sexual realm with hopefully no lasting harm - even if the mental trauma can be very severe. 

One of our readers inquired as to whether kissing a frog one hopes might be a prince qualifies as formicophilia? In that case....

WARNING: Please note a great many seemingly harmless spiders, insects, ants, and other small creatures can cause very serious and painful bites, especially to soft tissues. Some "beasties" also secrete defensive chemicals and toxins. Some cute, little, colorful frogs in some countries are what makes blowguns and darts poisonous. You can imagine what they'd do to a small cut or bit of scrapped skin. Given that genitals, nipples, and other erogenous areas have rich concentrations of nerves and blood vessels one's pain and danger can be magnified. If you do choose to experiment in these curious ways you might consider inviting your favorite good-looking, horny entomologist or zoologist to the party. Most entomologists don't get out much so they'd probably love to attend a party not hosted by their mother - especially if you them them it combines nudity, alcohol, and lots of bugs. Otherwise consult experts with knowledge of the do's and don'ts in this specialized field. They probably have a hundred and twelve chat rooms by now. That said, we are now going to torture our lawyer who asked us to write all this with a bucket of four inch tiger slugs and one huge, very frisky praying mantis - after painting his tiny penis to look like a cricket. 

MASTURBATION
MOTIVATIONS
If you ask most people what is the most common form of sex they usually say heterosexuality. In fact the most popular form of sex throughout human history is autosexuality or sex with one's self. Autosexuality is not exactly the same as masturbation but they are close. Masturbation is autosexuality where one stimulates the genitals with other body parts such as the hands or thighs. Other forms of autosexualtiy include stimulation with inanimate objects (ie. vibrators, pillows, furniture) or stimulation of the nipples. 

Some people also speak of genital masturbation as opposed to anal masturbation. The later is more common among males (due to the sensitive prostate) but sometimes is reported by women. Women have both anal and vaginal contractions during orgasm. 

And just for the record autosexuality has nothing to do with sex inside cars, on cars, or with cars. 

What motivates nearly every human to masturbate? It feels good, of course. But sometimes the impulses involve much more than the basic pleasure drive. Theories abound and there is usually some combination of motivations that varies with the circumstance and individual. One of the better sources of this information is Marcus and Francis book Masturbation: From Infancy to Senescence. Lets briefly describe some of these motivations from this book and several other sources:

1. Partner replacement: people who are young, elderly, isolated, shy, recently bereaved, or lonely obviously use masturbation when no partner is available. Masturbation may replace a partner for a single night (ie. a business trip or after an argument) or for long periods of one's life. Indeed, masturbation is often completely replaces a partner in the early and late years of many people's lives - only their middle years being with a partner. 

2. Stress relief: masturbation relieves excess sexual energy, relaxes tense muscles, helps regulate breathing, calm nerves, and so on. Some experts say people who masturbate often may have low tolerance for tension. Many people find masturbation to be one of the most pleasant and convenient response to stress. The idea of masturbation for relief of excessive superego anxiety is a related concept. 

3. Reduce sexual aggression: this is related to stress relief but relates particularly to males. Some males prone to aggression and rape may find masturbation a less risky, more acceptable means of calming their urges which go beyond the sexual. Regular masturbation is sometimes prescribed along with medication for persons with high levels of both stress and aggression. 

4. Primary narcissism: devoted or exclusive autosexuals may simply have a deep-seated love of self or just their self image. On the less severe extreme would be simply selfishness. If you regularly masturbate in front of a mirror you're a candidate for this classification. Such persons usually have a good body image and may be athletic; while others may project a perfect image on a reality that is quite different. 

5. disuse/atrophy theory: this suggests one "uses it or looses it". Like any other body system the reproductive system needs a workout. Both men and women have wet dreams when sexual activity is low. Masturbation is a proactive way of "cleaning out the pipes". Males remove the older, less fertile semen (becoming more reproductively effective) while females clean the vaginal canal. Masturbation during "dry spells" with no partner sex may have a legitmate role in maintenance of the urogenital system. Kegel exercises with masturbation for women do indeed tone and tighten the vaginal muscles. 

6. Fantasy development: a rich fantasy life seems essential to human thought and sexual development. Acting out sexual fantasies with mates or in public may not always be possible. Masturbation with fastasy lovers in fantasy situations helps develop sexual orientation and romantic scripts. The term lovemap is used today to refer to one's idealized or fantasy lover or sexual experience. We tend to develop our lovemap through masturbatory experiences dating from our youth. 

7. Sexual rehearsal: Young people use masturbation to practice sexual variations. Girls are more likely to masturbate with romantic themes while guys imagine a variety of partners and pick up scenarios. This of course overlaps with fantasy development where idealized lovers (such a music or movie stars) help one develop ideas about pleasant sexual interaction. But for many people there is a clear distinction between sexual rehearsal in a realistic situation (and very attainable partner) and utter, wild fantasy masturbation. Sexual rehearsal might being imagining sex with the girl next door in basement while fantasy masturbation might involve a supermodel on the hood of her Ferrari during a traffic jam in Paris. Healthy autosexuality generally involves both motivations. 

8. Unification of body sensations: this is especially important in females where a girl needs to understand the complex relationship among all her many erogenous zones. A boy has a penis as his primary erogenous zone while girls needs to develop a unified sense of clitoris, breast size, nipple sensation, labia, vagina, anus, orgasm, and menstruation. Harmonizing all these feelings and emotions can be very complex and require lots of enjoyable practice. Masturbation is a very big part of developing our entire body image. Men too can develop a more diverse, unified sense of their body and sexuality identity by special masturbation techniques. Adding anal masturbation, nipple stimulation, testicle cupping, and muscle massage does much to expand a man's outlook beyond a phallicentric orientation

9. Performance testing: this is related to sexual rehearsal but a slightly different theme. Young people need to know what their new, enlarging equipment can and cannot do. Males who have past episodes of impotence or sexual underperformance may use masturbation to reassure themselves and built confidence. For girls masturbation helps develop clitoral awareness and vaginal awareness. While woman almost always favor clitoral stimulation throughout their lives it is considered a part of develop to shift from touching the clitoris only to fingering and probing the vagina. Understanding orgasmic response and vaginal lubrication are an important part of the process. 

Freud said girls often gave up masturbation because they eventually realize the clitoris is much smaller, "inferior" organ to the penis. We now know this is not true at all. Rather than having penis envy it is now suggested young women simply develop penis desire. That is, girls go from an enjoyment of their clitoris as the sole source of pleasure to a willingness and desire to be penetrated. Part of moving from a self image of girl to woman is realizing she is meant for and actually capable of intercourse. Masturbation involving digitation of the vagina PLUS clitoral stimulation builds penis desire - or what politically correct writers might call a penetration desire. A similar sort of development may occur with male homosexuals who learn early about anal masturbation and prostate stimulation. 

10. Replay oedipal touching: Here seems to be a more sensible Freudian theory. This theory suggests we use touching to replay the comfort of mother changing our diapers or cleaning our privates. In many cultures it is common for mothers to lightly masturbate infants and young children to calm them and promote sleep. Where normal hygiene ends and masturbation begins is sometimes debated - even in daycare center court cases these days. How important oedipal touch masturbation figures in certainly varies with one's upbringing. Some persons report comfort and relief by touching their genitals without climax. 

11. Mental Illness/Social maladjustment: compulsive and exclusive autosexuals are often people who never develop normal sexual relationships with others. Such persons are often shy and may have stunted emotional and/or social development, though perhaps otherwise functioning well in society. The old idea about a fear of castration or what others even term a fear of envelopment (as in the vagina) motivates some males to prefer masturbation. A fear of penetration may occur with some females. Schizoprenic males in mental health facilities frequently exhibite what is termed compulsive masturbation. Yet today most authorities agree that masturbation is not usually a sign of mental illness nor does it predispose one to future illness. That said, a person with compulsive masturbation habits and avoidance of partners may benefit from professional evaluation and counseling. 

12. Latent homosexuality/bisexuality: if one is devoted or exclusive with masturbation it might be said one does prefer same sex genitals. We do know that males prone to frequent masturbation often have homosexual fantasies - though many never act them out with another male. Sometimes group masturbation among males substitutes (ie. "doesn't count" as) for homosexual experience. Some men and women have also convinced themselves that mutual masturbation is a not as "bad" or serious as other forms of homosexual activity - especially as it may be safer from a STD point of view. 

13. Self-masochism: it has not escaped psychologists that masturbation (particularly among males) is also known as beating off. The term self abuse is also suggestive of a bit more than self love but things ranging toward self hatred. Indeed some rare individuals, male and female, so redden and injure their genital tissue their practice is clearly abusive by any known standard. Even rarer is use of harmful, even sharp objects to aid in masturbation and increase the admixture of pain and pleasure. 

14. Sexual addition: some people simply can't get enough sex. Masturbation is the most convenient, even affordable way of receiving sexual gratification. Compulsive masturbators are know to practice it as often as six to ten times a day. A male who masturbates four or five times over several hours may do so on with sexual pleasure - having no significant ejaculate or semen remaining to release. There is one popular line of adult 6 hour long videos called Jack Off Videos. 

15. Birth/disease control: masturbation for some people is one way to avoid pregnancy and transmission of disases, especially when practicing group masturbation or mutual masturbation among couples. Some married couples even masturbate together when the wife is most likely ovulating. Couples where only one member is HIV+ or with full blown AIDS often rely on masturbation as their primary sharing of sexuality. Group masturbation such as gay circle jerk are ways many people arouse each other in voyeuristic way. 

16. Entertainment: millions have and will be made from live masturbation shows, magazines, and all masturbation videos. In some regions female erotic dancers can only simulate masturbation but cannot actually touch their genitals or clothing. They merely moan loudly, gyrate, and reach "down there". In other places there are few if any restrictions on live sex shows. Before the AIDS era there was a time when female performers would finger themselves and invite patrons to lick and suck their wet fingers. There was even a wild Christmas show in one Times Square theatre where the lady performers would dildo themselves with candy canes, later selling the extra sticky confections to male patrons. 

Both female and male masturbation videos are popular and one might even call them are particular fetish or sexual subculture. Many female masturbation videos create a fantasy of a young-looking girl discovering her body for the first time. Others emphasize other guys or girls teaching a friend how to do it most effectively. This has been termed masturbation mentoring and sometimes there may be an incest fantasy. Some create illusions of taboo outdoor or public masturbation which is a crime in most countries. A large number of both gay and hetero adult movies end each scene with a man masturbating briefly, ejaculating on his lover's body or face. Indeed the so-called money shot or facial is usually masturbation following intercourse and oral sex.

17. Foreplay: many couples masturbate themselves to arouse their partners. When one partner dances and strips for the other it is pleasant to masturbate for their enjoyment. 

18. Pain relief: very ill, even dying people often masturbate more than they have throughout their life. Sexual stimulation releases endorphins and other brain chemicals, soothing and sometimes masking pain. Some women with severely painful menstrual cramps report masturbation can relieve some of their symptoms and discomfort. Relieving both pain and stress are of course related motivations. 

19. Celibacy/Virginity Vow: persons ranging from teens to nuns and priests from various religions practice autosexuality while maintaining claims of celibacy and/or virginity. Celibacy is sometimes defined as a having no sex of any kind. But many people define it as having no intercourse or no sexual relationship with others. Thus masturbation does not "count" against their vow, pledge, or chosen lifestyle. While many religious persons do abstain from masturbation it is still a very common practice by most reports. The practice of sacred sexuality and particularly sacred masturbation as part of religious experience provides moral clarity for some persons while masturbation remains a source of guilt for others. 

20. Paraphilic aid: sometimes masturbation is part of other sexual deviations or paraphila. For example a male exhibitionist and voyeurs of either sex are prone to masturbate as part of those experiences. Masturbation is also a big part of pansexuality or sex in and with nature which some might not consider so deviant at all. 

EROTIC
LITERATURE
MARKET
Most adults at one time in their life have written erotic literature. For many of us it is merely a spicy little love letter or perhaps a love poem with veiled sexual innuendo and lots of double meanings. For most of us it may be a stretch to call it literature at all! Some devoted (and occasionally talented) writers feel moved to make money, gain attention, or simply augment the sex life of their mind by sharing their writings with others. 

Whether one writes for fun or profit we recommend the guide How to Write Erotica by experienced author Valerie Kelly. The major markets she and others identify and advise on are:

1. Letters to the Editor (ie. Penthouse)
2. Adult movie screenplay/script
3. Erotic plays
4. Magazine short stories (fiction)
5. Magazine sex articles (non-fiction, instructive or educational)
6. Sex how-to guides
7. Telephone sex scripts and dialogues
8. Erotic poetry
9. Erotic e-books
10. R-rated romance novels
11. X-rated paperback novels
12. Adult movie packaging 
13. Sex-related TV scripts (ie. Playboy Channel, Spice)

Most of the above apply to the internet medium as well. 

Kelly also identifies a number of very popular genre or fetish categories that require special skills and knowledge. We have expanded on her excellent list to include the following:

A. Gay initiation (first experience or coming out story)
B. Lesbian initiation (first experience or coming out story)
C. Incest fantasy (often a big brother, aunt, uncle, mommy, daddy thing)
D. Public sex (often buses, trains, libraries, restaurants, parks)
E. Horny, lonely housewife (often a lovely widow or abused wife) 
F. Captive/Slave/Kidnapped woman (real or simulated)
G. Sadomasochism (endless variations and fetishes - creative counts) 
H. Bondage & Discipline initiation (your or other's first experiences) 
I. Young, innocent, virgin female initiation (simulated or first teen experience)
F. True lesbian love with idealized sex scene 
G. True gay love with idealized sex scene
H. X-rated hetero romance (steamy version of paperback novels) 
I. First orgy/swinging experience (often with another couple, college dorm, bathhouse, swing club, nude beach, gym)
J. Large breasted woman (often stripper or obese)
K. Authority figure sex (Policeman, Priest, Teacher, Nun, Politician)
L. Lingerie/Model fantasy sex (sometimes a star or change meeting) 
M. Outdoor/wilderness chance meeting sex
N. Ass/Buttocks fetish (male and female)
O. Fat/Chubby/Obese first experience (ie. fat lady at circus, horny neighbor, girl at school others ignor). Usually includes large breast if about females. 
P. Miniskirts/Short skirts/Long-legged girls (cheerleaders, models, etc.)
Q. Black/Latino/Asian Ethnic sex (especially if unfamiliar, taboo, or exotic setting) 
R. Pregnant sex (often unwed young mother, hospital doctor-patient fantasy)
S. Spanking (distinct from S&M and true B&D. Often overlaps with K. Authority Figure sex)
T. Milk/Lactaction 
U. Leather/Latex/Vinyl (overlaps with S&M too)
V. Transgender/Transvestite/Transexual/She-male fantasy (often first experience)
W. Nudism/Naturism first experience (may include swinging too)
X. Upskirt or panty fantasy (often involving cheerleaders, miniskirts, school teachers)
Y. Outlaw/Biker lifestyle sex
Z. Rock Star/Music Industry/Groupie stories
AA. Homeless/Drifter sex (often includes taking in, reforming, helping down on their luck person who turns out to be beautiful, handsome, etc.)
BB. Taboo fetish (bestiality, panty sniffing, exhibitionism, voyeur, etc.)
CC. Bar pickup fantasy come true
DD. Sex with famous or rich person
EE. Beach seduction
FF. Murder Mystery/Gothic sex tale
GG. Sci-Fi/Space/Future sex
HH. Bisexual coming out (often a bi orgy or doing a bi friendly couple)
II. Older partner sex (ie. more experienced man or woman, incest fantasy)
JJ. Senior/Gerontophilia sex (much older ie. 65-90 years, granny fantasy)
KK. Masturbation tales (often outdoors, public places, group scenes)

FEMALE ORGASMIC CONTRACTIONS Bohlen et. al. in the article The Female Orgasm: Pelvic Contractions (Archives of Sexual Behavior Volume 11 Issue 5) bring scientific-medical professionalism to the study of female orgasm. Using anal and vaginal probes in a laboratory setting this study gives some interesting findings.

Vaginal contractions and anal contractions were generally synchronized and of the same number. Overall there is a average of 0.1 seconds between contractions. However, the woman's perceived start of the orgasm does not usually correspond to the start of measurable contractions - suggesting the process is quite automatic, involuntary, and sometimes very stuble.

There was an average of 7 to 13 contractions over a period of 5 to 14 seconds in most women. Recorded orgasmic contractions last between 7.4 and 107.6 seconds. Something like 5 to 15 seconds is the most common duration but events up to 36 seconds are not uncommon either. Women may perceive orgasms to be longer due to chemical and emotional feelings unrelated to actual contractions. There is more to an orgasm than contractions but they provide a useful way of quantifying the orgasm with scientific rigor. 

The authors provide a number of very interesting graphs showing various types of responses in women. Combined with research on men's contractions there are four basic types of orgasmic contraction response:

TYPE I - all regular contractions
TYPE II - regular contractions followed by irregullar ones
TYPE III - clearly divided regular contractions (maales only)
TYPE IV - all irregular contractions with none reggular

MENSTRUAL
INTERCOURSE
Having penovaginal intercourse while a woman is having her period is called menstrual intercourse or mi . It is one of the most taboo sexual subjects, even between long-married couples. We are grateful to Delaney, Lupton, and Tooth in their ground-breaking book The Curse: A Cultural History of Menstruation for shedding much light on this sexual practice.

The ban on menstrual intercourse in modern culture is mainly due to the Talmudic restriction recorded for us in Leviticus chapter fifteen as well as a similar admonition in the Koran. This is termed the moral aversion viewpoint. Both "offenders" in ancient Hebrew law were cast out of the society if not punished more severely. Menstrual fluid touching either the man or woman made them "unclean" and often required specific purification rituals. Earlier still is a Roman legend that Vulcan was born deformed because Juno and Jupiter copulated during menses. 

Many cultures outside the Judeo-Christian and Islamic tradition have similar prohibitions. The Chukchi tribe claimed it caused sterility. In South Africa MI was said to soften men's bones, making them weak. The Mae Enga culture stated it "killed" a man's blood, wasted his flesh, ruined his "vital juices", and dulled his wits! In 19th century western civilization there was also the myth that such sexual practice gave rise to gonorrhea. The well-respected philsopher Pliny around 60 AD said that menstrual fluid could blunt or rust metal, kills bees, and even make dogs rabid and venomous! No doubt his male readers drew their own conclusions about what such powerful fluid might do to their beloved anatomy. So even among educated, advanced cultures taboos arouse from curious and strange myths. 

Just how common is menstrual intercourse? One study in 1938 stated just 2% of the population did it. In one 1969 study 75% of medical students from Georgia surveyed said they had done it occasionally. Masters and Johnson say that about 90% of women have no objection to it. 

The "not tonight dear" scenario exists in most cultures around the world. Indeed in some societies it is one of the few sexual or reproductive decisions allowed by women. Besides moral aversion, many women genuinely do feel uncomfortable, insecure, and in pain during this time. Even some without moral aversion think it is natural to take a break or rest a few days a month for health reasons - ie. giving the anatomy a rest. Some ladies, particularly those with migranes at this time, absolutely cannot bear touching or strong stimulation of any kind. Some women use the line as a "legitimate excuse" for avoiding a violent or otherwise undesirable mate, sometimes adding a day or two to the actual term of the flow. False menstrual excuses are not uncommon in situations where the male in question is unfamiliar with the girl's cycle. Indeed women have used it over the centuries to avoid rape or coercion by rich and powerful men. Still more than one man has heard the excuse only to find out another man enjoyed the lady's company that entire night. 

Psychologists sometimes tell us that men have a deep-seated aversion to menstrual intercourse even though their lady partners are sometimes willing. In another study lesbians too had a general adversion to sexual activity with their menstruating partners - perhaps because oral sex among lesbians is so common. The Freudian type theory is the ole fear of castration idea as if men didn't know that the blood on their organ was not their own. Today most people trace the modern aversion to menstrual intercourse to three major factors: 1) traditional religious bans (moral aversion), 2) the mess/odor problem, and 3) hygienic concerns.

The question remains: is menstrual intercourse harmful?

1. The woman: the old tales suggest woman are more vulnerable and are easily injured in this phase of their cycle. Not true. Old medical texts said woman could hemorrhage more severely and even bleed to death. Bad science once again. More common today is the idea women are more prone to infection. This is a minor concern due to a reduced acidity of the vagina. Cases of vaginitis may occur with more frequency but this is generally not a problem among couples reportedly enjoying MI. More recently it has been suggested the normal opening of the uterin vessels could make a woman more subject to AIDS transmission. But with a long-term HIV- partner such is usually not a concern.
2. The man: In very rare cases urethritis has been reported - an inflamation which can appear at all times of the month. But men are apt to wash themselves after with one of the miracle antibacterial/deodorant soaps anyway so the risk is very low. 
3. The child: Very old myths (as with Vulcan) suggest a child conceived from such unions is likely to be damaged. Firstly, women rarely ovulate during menstruation though occasionally it does occur. Old stories spoke of leprosy, syphilis, ulcers, stupidity, silliness, and even mental deficiencies appearing in children conceived during MI. There is no medical evidence to support any harm to such a rarely conceived child. Still those couples who use MI sex to avoid pregnancy are sometimes surprised. 

Another question arises: why consider menstrual intercourse anyway?

Millions of times it has occured on wedding nights when intercourse is certainly a desirable bond. Thus we can further explain the ancient tradition of allowing brides to set and reset the date of marriages without too much questioning. In this age of weddings planned months in advance, large nonrefundable deposits, and the misallignment of 28-day cycles with calender months, the awkward convergence can easily occur. We understand there is even a computer program which helps brides do the menstrual math with a bit more accuracy. 

One study shows that 36% of women sometimes experience elevated sexual arousal during this phase of their cycle. Together with the high number (likely three-quarters or more) of women who have no real aversion today, a great many females would be eager to at least try it. Some say it is the best thing to eleviate menstrual cramps and any mood problems brought on by hormonal fluctuations. The Ngulu people of Tanzania actually considered menstruation to be a woman's sexual peak. But Delaney et al. note that the tribe's men still avoid it because the woman are oversexed and could be too much to handle - that is nymphophobia

Menstrual intercourse can become a male fetish but it can also become something that bonds a couple in a more healthy way. As we stated above in the section on mysophilia some men (and even women) become aroused by the scent and sight of used menstrual products. 

Menstrual intercourse is also a commercial concern involving the multi-billionare dollar worldwide industry of prostitution. Older reports state women would stuff themselves repeatedly with cotton, removing it between male visitors throughout the days. This was equivalent to using perhaps 20 or 30 tampons a day though doubtless accidents did occur. Some pimps today force their girls to avoid menstruation with sometimes harmful doses of birth control pills. Other prostitutes that have been interviewed talk about oral days when they refrain from the intercourse side of the business. Others offer up anal sex. No doubt some brothel or two somewhere has offered menstrual intercourse to men willing to pay extra for such things. There is the so-called practice of red showers (as opposed to golden and brown showers) where men are willing recipients of the monthly flow. 

James McCary in Sexual Myths and Fallacies makes the interesting comment that "life is short enough as it is, so why shoot down 3 or 4 days out of each 28?"

DEFINITIONS: Pornography, Obscenity, and Erotica Some persons consider the terms pornography, obscenity, and erotica to be the same thing - and often either all bad or all good. One of the more accepted and intellectual approaches to defining and clarifying these terms comes from Dr. Pranzarone in Pornography: Obscene, Erotic, or Neutral-Defined by Lovemap in the wonderful, scholarly book Sexuality and Human Bonding

He notes that the term pornography was originally used by Restif in 1754 and meant "writing about the institution of prostitution". Pranzarone defines pornography in more broad terms in line with popular perception as a commercial representation of material that is sexually graphic in word, sound, or image. He constructs a series of useful definitions that involve overlapping circles where pornography overlaps with obscenity and erotica but those two do not overlap with each other. Some forms of pornography are said to be neutral and neither obscene nor erotic. 

Obscenity is defined as "that subset of all respresentations and performances which produce in the perceiver AVERSIVE affective-cognitive response and/or inhibits response of sexual arousal and orgasm". Erotica is similar except the response is APPETITIVE and POSITIVE in promoting arousal and orgasm. The definitions clearly allow one person's obscenity to be another person's erotica and vice versa. Thus a dancing naked man be considered obscenity if a woman sees it in public or in a newstand magazine. But a similar image or performance by her husband in the private bedroom is deemed to be erotic. 

His five categories with our own examples are:

1. Neutral pornography: neither aversive/negative or appetitive/positive, creating no response or perhaps an indifferent response. For example, walking by a nude statue for decades may provide no arousal to a city regular while it may have a different sensation for a tourist. Indeed, saturation with pornographic images causes some persons to seek more and more extreme, deviant, and taboo subject matter. A simple men's magazine with traditional intercourse may produce no pleasure or arousal for some image saturated men while in their youth such things were highly stimulating. 
2. Erotic pornography: appetitive/positive sexual images and words. This might involve pleasing adult films, centerfolds, stage shows, erotic stories, letters from a lover, and performance acts in one's bedroom. Whatever gets it done....
3. Obscene pornography: aversive/negative sexual images and words. This could be images of unattractive persons or morally offensive sex acts and unwanted exhibitionism. One might note that a closeup photo of an erect male penis may be erotic to a woman but by definition obscene or neutral to her male partner. 
4. Non-pornographic erotica: appetitive/postive representations not involving pornographic images or words. For example, a valentine card, candlelight dinner, or romantic love poem may stimulate sexual arousal but here would not have vivid sexual images or words therein. 
5. Non-pornographic obscenity: aversive/negative representations not involving pornographic images or words. Unpleasant non-sexual images, words, sounds, or smells could fit here. Something which puts one "out of the mood" (like a dirty, ugly hotel room) could be part of this concept. The important thing is that such things must affect one's sexual arousal and/or ability to acheive orgasm. Dictonaries do define obscenity more broadly than sexual images (that is, pornography) and it may include anything "highly offensive", "indecent", "likely to corrupt", or "tending to deprave". The original Latin obscaenus means "abominable". 

We must note of course what some people publically call obscene may in fact be privately arousing and even necessary by nature of their taboo, forbidden status. More than one religious leader has condemned acts, images, and sex businesses from the pulpit only to enjoy them in secret. Likewise exploited persons may act as if their sex work is pleasant but secretly find it repulsive, revolting, and non-arousing. These definitions are about real perceptions, true feelings, and actual physiological response. 

MALE TO FEMALE
SEX CHANGE
SURGERY
Lots of people wonder just exactly how male hardware is turned into female plumbing by the world's top surgeons who specialize in sex change procedures. We did a little research to satisfy our own and your curiosity.

Contrary to popular opinion there is not a "castration step" or "no penis stage" for most men who wish to be assigned to a woman's body. However, one hears of the occasional men who castrates him and cuts off his penis in frustration. But quite frankly men who do that are not usually accepted as stable candidates for legitimate, mainstream surgery. Usually the procedure is one very long procedure with perhaps a cosmetic surgery touchup later on. Other surgeons divid the work into two, three, and even four sessions. Procedures vary but the following is a modern example that has given some good results.

The scrotum is incised at the side of the base. The testes are removed. Arteries are ligated. The sperm ducts and nerves are cauterized. The urethra is cut above the base of the penis. It is attached to form a new urinary opening between the anus and scrotum. A catheter is usually required at this stage. The meatus or opening of the penis is sewn shut since it is no longer needed. However that very sensitive bit of tissue with all those nerves must be retained in good working order. Some surgeons stop the operation here and do the remaining 3-4 months later. Others do it as a team in one big procedure. 

The penis is cut longitudinally and the unnecessary interal parts carefully dissected out. The large volume of spongy tissue (caverns) that fill with blood during an erection are not required. Only the skin of the shaft and glans (head) remains with connecting vascular structures and nerves. The area above the anus and below the new urinary opening is cut open. Extraneous tissue is "excavated" out to form what will later be the vagina. (Anyone curious can press this perineum area on a male. There is in theory room for an internal cavity on all males, especially if one considers it normal for a female to have a pubic mound.) 

The cut skin of the penis is turned inside out like a glove to form the walls of the new vagina into the excavated area. The glans or head of the penis is used to form a part of the vagina and often a sort of large, sensitive clitoris. The glans can also be used to form a sensitive cervix-like structure but obviously there is some advantage having the sensitive glans-clitoris available for oral or other external stimulation. Oestrogen therapy usually shrinks the glans-clitoris to a much smaller size in proportion to the new anatomy. Without the glans and all its concented nerve endings the patient would not be capable of orgasm. The remaining tissue of the scrotum is used to form labia alongside the new vagina. Sometimes a mold is used in the new vagina to prevent closing while the tissues heal. Molds, meshes, "synthetic skin", and other plastic techniques are used to produce a smooth, well integrated anatomy. The urethra may be catheterized again. 

The newly constructed vagina (called the neovagina) must be dilated often, sometimes with surgical tools or a vibrators to prevent it from closing over with scar tissue. This can be a very painful experience since it may occur over months without the aid of anesthesia or hospital strength pain killers. The vaginal walls being formed from penis shaft skin require much lubrication since it has no natural secretory glands. The neovagina is formed, dilated, and expanded as deep as possible so it can accomodate penal intercourse. Some transexuals do have successful intercourse with male partners after a period of healing. Some transexuals living with women also request vaginal and glans-clitorial stimulation with vibrators or strap-on organs. Many transexuals feel that intercourse is an important part of their feeling like a "real" woman. 

Surgeons may recommend additional plastic surgery to improve the appearance of the labia, glans-clitoris, and neovagina as well as to correct any urinary problems. Vaginoplasty and urethroplasty are the medical terms for such specialized reconstructions. Having a visually convincing clitoris and vestibule may take some very careful, expert led surgery. Labia are not exactly the easiest thing to fabricate either - especially from what was formerly very hairy, wrinkled tissue!

To date the transplant of ovaries or a uterus have not been successful. Thus transexuals are incapable of bearing children and do not have menstruation. Yet there continue to be many requests (even large cash offers) for donors and surgeons willing to attempt the "ultimate step". Many male to female transexuals undergo other procedures including augmentation mammoplasty (breast enlargement), hair removal, and reduction of the Adam's apple. Male facial features can be reduced by traditional plastic surgery such as sculpting a smaller, feminine nose. A course of oestrogen treatments often takes care of the rest. 


 
Select: .........Unit 1..............Unit 2...........Unit 3 New!..........................U

 
 
This site will be updated at least 8 times per year. If you would like to be notified of updates please copy the URL address above (highlight then Edit-Copy). Go to the free Netmind site, paste the URL (Edit-Paste), enter your email address, and request a notification be sent. They will send you an email when this page has been changed.

SEX ED 601
Advanced Topics in Human Sexuality

This site is an online course in human sexuality written from the perspective of biologists, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, sexologists, theologians, gynocologists, urologists, philosophers, and physiologists. Material has been derived from a comprehensive literature review, observation, and items submitted by readers.


Provided in the public interest by the OLCC (Open Love Christian Community)

Reader submissions are welcome at olcc@angelfire.com. All submissions will be considered copyright cleared for publication on this site unless otherwise indicated. We will acknowledge your submission with a literature citation, name, and/or site link per your request. We reserve the right to limit links to sites at the sole discretion of our editors. 

Copyright 2000. Open Love Christian Community. All Rights Reserved. Links are welcome. All other use of the material requires written permission from the organization, obtainable from the email address above. 

1