Cultural Variations

E

Erotic Plasticity

Erotic plasticity refers to the degree to which a person's sexual attitudes, behaviors, and desires can be shaped and changed by cultural, social, and situational factors. It suggests that sexuality is not entirely fixed but can be influenced and molded by external forces and personal experiences throughout one's lifetime.

G

Gender Expression

Gender expression refers to the external manifestation of one's gender identity, typically through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, and body characteristics. It's the way a person presents their gender to the world, which may or may not conform to societal expectations associated with their assigned sex at birth or their gender identity.

H

Hotwife

A hotwife is a married woman who engages in sexual activities with men other than her husband, with her husband's full knowledge and consent. This practice is typically part of a consensual non-monogamous relationship dynamic where the husband derives pleasure from his wife's sexual encounters with other partners. The term "hotwife" is often used within the context of the lifestyle and swinging communities.

K

Kunyaza

Kunyaza is a traditional sexual practice originating from central Africa, particularly Rwanda and Uganda. The term roughly translates to "to urinate" or "to make squirt" in Kinyarwanda. This technique focuses on stimulating the female genitalia, especially the clitoris and labia, to enhance pleasure and potentially induce female ejaculation.

M

Mate-guarding

Mate-guarding refers to behaviors and strategies employed by individuals to maintain their romantic or sexual relationship by preventing their partner from engaging in sexual or emotional relationships with others. This behavior is rooted in evolutionary psychology and can manifest in various ways, from subtle actions to more overt displays of possessiveness or jealousy.

Mating Systems

Mating systems refer to the patterns of sexual relationships between individuals within a species or society. These systems describe how individuals pair up for reproduction and the social structures that support these pairings. In humans and other animals, mating systems can vary widely, influenced by factors such as environment, resources, and cultural norms.

N

Nuru Massage

Nuru massage is a type of erotic body-to-body massage that originated in Japan. The term "nuru" comes from the Japanese word for "slippery." In this practice, both the giver and receiver of the massage are nude, and a special nuru gel is applied to their bodies. This odorless, colorless gel is typically made from nori seaweed and is extremely slippery, allowing for full body-to-body contact and sliding movements.

P

Polygyny

Polygyny is a form of non-monogamous relationship or marriage in which one man is married to or in a relationship with multiple women simultaneously. It's a specific type of polygamy, which is the broader term for any marriage involving multiple spouses. In polygynous relationships, the man typically takes on the role of husband to multiple wives, who may or may not be connected to each other.

S

Shibari

Shibari, also known as Kinbaku, is a Japanese-style rope bondage art that involves tying a person using intricate patterns of knots and rope work. It's both an aesthetic practice and a form of BDSM activity, combining elements of restraint, power exchange, and artistic expression. The term "Shibari" literally means "to tie" or "to bind" in Japanese.

Sumata

Sumata, also known as "Japanese thigh sex," is a non-penetrative sexual practice that originated in Japan. It involves stimulating the penis by rubbing it between the partner's thighs, often with the addition of lubricant. This practice is considered a form of outercourse and is sometimes used as an alternative to penetrative sex.