Editing Human sexual activity (section)

==Other social aspects==
===General attitudes===

[[Alex Comfort]] and others propose three potential social aspects of sexual intercourse in humans, which are not mutually exclusive: reproductive, relational, and recreational.<ref>''[[The Joy of Sex]]'' A Gourmet Guide to Lovemaking (1972) by [[Alex Comfort]]. See also {{ISBN|1-4000-4614-9}}.</ref> The development of [[Combined oral contraceptive pill|the contraceptive pill]] and other highly effective forms of [[contraception]] in the mid- and late 20th century has increased people's ability to segregate these three functions, which still overlap a great deal and in complex patterns. For example: A fertile couple may have intercourse while using contraception to experience sexual pleasure (recreational) and also as a means of emotional intimacy (relational), thus deepening their bonding, making their relationship more stable and more capable of sustaining children in the future (deferred reproductive). This same couple may emphasize different aspects of intercourse on different occasions, being playful during one episode of intercourse (recreational), experiencing deep emotional connection on another occasion (relational), and later, after discontinuing contraception, seeking to achieve pregnancy (reproductive, or more likely reproductive and relational).{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

===Religious and ethical===
{{Main|Sexual morality|Religion and sexuality|Norm (sociology)}}
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Human sexual activity is generally influenced by social rules that are culturally specific and vary widely.<ref name="EUAB">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ybIaCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT386|title=Essentials of Understanding Abnormal Behavior|isbn=978-1305854703|publisher=Cengage Learning|last1=Sue|first1=David|last2=Sue|first2=Derald Wing|last3=Sue|first3=Diane M|last4=Sue|first4=Stanley|date=2016|page=352}}</ref>

Sexual ethics, morals, and norms relate to issues including deception/honesty, legality, [[fidelity]] and consent. Some activities, known as [[Sex and the law|sex crimes]] in some locations, are illegal in some jurisdictions, including those conducted between (or among) consenting and competent adults (examples include [[sodomy law]] and adult–adult [[incest]]).

Some people who are in a relationship but want to hide polygamous activity (possibly of opposite sexual orientation) from their partner, may solicit consensual sexual activity with others through personal contacts, [[online chat room]]s, or, advertising in select media.

[[Swinging (sexual practice)|Swinging]] involves singles or partners in a [[committed relationship]] engaging in sexual activities with others as a [[recreational sex|recreational]] or social activity.<ref name="MATF">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xVKWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT287|title=Marriage and the Family: Mirror of a Diverse Global Society|isbn=978-1317279846|publisher=Routledge|last1=Xuemei Hu|first1=Julie|last2=Tarrezz Nash|first2=Shondrah|date=2019|page=287}}</ref> The increasing popularity of swinging is regarded by some as arising from the upsurge in sexual activity during the [[sexual revolution]] of the 1960s.

Some people engage in various sexual activities as a business transaction. When this involves having sex with, or performing certain actual sexual acts for another person in exchange for money or something of value, it is called prostitution. Other aspects of the [[Sex industry|adult industry]] include [[phone sex]] operators, [[strip club]]s, and pornography.

===Gender roles and the expression of sexuality===

{{Main|Sexual identity|Gender identity|Gender roles}}
Social [[gender roles]] can influence sexual behavior as well as the reaction of individuals and communities to certain incidents; the [[World Health Organization]] states that, "Sexual violence is also more likely to occur where beliefs in male sexual entitlement are strong, where gender roles are more rigid, and in countries experiencing high rates of other types of violence."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/world_report/en/summary_en.pdf |title=World report on violence and health – World Health Organization |date=27 August 2002 |author=T.G.V. |access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> Some societies, such as those where the concepts of [[family honor]] and female [[chastity]] are very strong, may practice violent control of female sexuality, through practices such as [[honor killings]] and [[female genital mutilation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/|title=WHO – Female genital mutilation|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/honourcrimes/|title=BBC – Ethics: Honour Crimes|access-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>

The relation between [[gender equality]] and sexual expression is recognized, and promotion of equity between men and women is crucial for attaining [[sexual health|sexual]] and [[reproductive health]], as stated by the UN [[International Conference on Population and Development]] Program of Action:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unfpa.org/swp/1997/box9.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000116105305/http://www.unfpa.org/SWP/1997/box9.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 January 2000 |title=Paragraph 7.34 of the ICPD Programme of Action |work=Sexuality and Gender Relations |access-date=25 December 2014 }}</ref>

:"Human sexuality and gender relations are closely interrelated and together affect the ability of men and women to achieve and maintain sexual health and manage their reproductive lives. Equal relationships between men and women in matters of sexual relations and reproduction, including full respect for the physical integrity of the human body, require mutual respect and willingness to accept responsibility for the consequences of sexual behaviour. Responsible sexual behaviour, sensitivity and equity in gender relations, particularly when instilled during the formative years, enhance and promote respectful and harmonious partnerships between men and women."