OUR SEXUALITY: SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS
Besides the many differences in our sexual orientation, gender, and lovemaps, there is also a wide variety of sexual relationships that people create. Of course, the form of our relationships is closely related to our unique sexuality. For example, people who identify themselves as gay or lesbian will probably date people of the same gender, while those who consider themselves heterosexual will most likely date only people of the other gender.
The levels of commitment in relationships can vary from one person to the next and from one couple to the next. If both people in a relationship are involved only with one another, they are engaged in a monogamous relationship. Some people are more comfortable in an open relationship, in which both partners are free to also become involved with other people. There are also those who choose to have no sexual relationships. They may choose to express their sexuality by practicing celibacy—having no sex at all.
Whatever form relationships take, the length of time they last may vary tremendously. Depending upon the happiness, satisfaction, and commitment of both partners, romantic or sexual relationships can last for months and years, or for only hours and days. Furthermore, while many people would like to find someone with whom to spend the rest of their lives, others Mare simply not interested in limiting themselves to one sexual partner.
Many people get married and become monogamous. This is one of the most common sexual relationships in the world. Other people never marry. This may be because of personal preference, or it may be involuntary, as in the case of gay and lesbian people, who are not legally allowed to marry. Many people—straight or gay—live together as couples without ever getting married. Sometimes romantic or sexual relationships are broken off and then resumed months or even years later.
The kinds of sexual activities couples engage in within a relationship can also vary. It depends on what both people are comfortable with, interested in, and enjoy. Their sexual behavior may be limited to mutual masturbation, oral sex, or vaginal or anal intercourse. Other couples may enjoy none or all of these forms of sex play.
Sometimes two people will have intercourse on their first date. Other couples wait until they have dated for months. Some wait until they are married. Some never have intercourse. Although monogamous relationships are most common, some couples will agree to switch partners. Such an arrangement is called mate-swapping. Some people engage in group sex, either with other couples or other single people or with both. Even people who are legally married sometimes have open relationships.
Just as our individual sexualities change with time, so can our relationships. What may have started as a monogamous relationship can turn into an open one. Open relationships can also become monogamous. Someone who had sexual relationships only with men may become romantically involved with women.
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