Promiscuity

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(Redirected from Promiscuous)

See also promiscuous mode, in the context of computer networking.

Promiscuity is the practice of making relatively unselective, casual and indiscriminate choices.

The term is most commonly applied to sexual behavior, where it refers to sex that is not in the framework of a steady sexual relationship, or occurs in multiple, simultaneous sexual relationships. People who are called "promiscuous", within the scope of this usage, may actually be quite selective in their choice of sexual partners. Nonetheless, because of the popularity of this usage, the remainder of this article discusses sexual promiscuity.

A common criticism of sexual promiscuity is the potential to run a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV which may eventually lead to AIDS. Promiscuous behaviour requires strict application of safer sex measures, in order to reduce this risk. However, consecutive monogamous sexual relationships (serial monogamy) without safer sex measures can pose a similar risk.

In some cases, excessively promiscuous behaviour is caused by definite pathology such as manic episodes of bipolar disorder, some forms of brain tumors, or alcohol and substance abuse.

Some sects, cults, and religious orders have a place for promiscuous behaviour. There were special examples of religious prostitution in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome.

1 Human promiscuity
- 1.1 Detail
- 1.2 Brothels
2 In the animal world
3 See also
4 External links

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Human promiscuity

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Detail

What is socially acceptable sexual behavior, and what behavior is regarded as "promiscuous", vary widely among different cultures and different groups within a culture. In some contexts, a woman who has sex with any man other than her husband is considered promiscuous, while the term may not be applied to a man from the same culture likewise having extramarital sex. In other cultures, the term may be applied to anyone who has more than one lover at the same time. In some sections of industrialised societies, it is likely to be used only of people who have large numbers of sexual partners with a seeming lack of discrimination (close to the primary meaning of the word).

It is difficult to accurately assess people's sexual behaviour, since there are strong social and personal motivations to either minimise or exaggerate reported sexual activity, depending on social sanctions and taboos.

The best statistical evidence of actual sexual behaviour is derived from research into sexually transmitted diseases (or STDs). Extensive research has been conducted to study different mathematical models of sexual behaviour and to compare the results generated with the observed prevalence of STDs to try to estimate the probable actual sexual behavior of the population.

People's numbers of sexual partners, both over their lifetime and concurrently, varies widely within any population. Studies of STD spread have consistently shown that a small minority of the population have substantially more partners than the average, and a large minority (including those who abstain from sex) have less than the average.

One important issue in STD epidemiology is whether these groups have sex mostly within their groups (so-called assortative mixing) or at random.

There is a growing modern movement to promote the acceptance of promiscuity in the context of honesty and safer sex. A crucial text in this regard is The Ethical Slut by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt.

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Brothels

Brothels are businesses in which employees sell sexual favours to clients; these are also centers of promiscuous sexual activity. Brothels can legally be operated in many parts of the world, including some areas of Nevada in the United States.

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In the animal world

In the animal world, many species of animals, including birds such as swans, once believed monogamous, have now been shown to be promiscuous. This is true for females, including female birds, as for males. (Main article: Non-human animal sexuality)

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