* Physical reasons such as to reduce stress ("It seemed like good exercise"), feel pleasure ("It's exciting"), improve or expand experiences ("I was curious about sex"), and the physical desirability of their partner ("The person was a good dancer").* Goal-based reasons, including utilitarian or practical considerations ("I wanted to have a baby"), social status ("I wanted to be popular") and revenge ("I wanted to give someone else a sexually transmitted disease").
* Emotional reasons such as love and commitment ("I wanted to feel connected") and expression ("I wanted to say 'thank you'").
* Insecurity-based reasons, including self-esteem ("I wanted the attention"), a feeling of duty or pressure ("My partner kept insisting") and to guard a mate ("I wanted to keep my partner from straying").
Whew... that's cleared up now. But why do you have sex?!!?
Comments
scariest. clown. ever.
Posted by: Sheril Kirshenbaum | July 31, 2007 10:52 AM
Somehow when I saw this article I *knew* you were going to write it up, Steve... perhaps the larger question is, why must Steve *post* about sex?
Posted by: Dave Munger | July 31, 2007 11:30 AM
Well, I don't know about you, but I have sex to form coalitions with other females so we can cooperatively defend a rich food patch. I thought that's what all primates did?
Posted by: The Primate Diaries | July 31, 2007 11:42 AM
How is the goal of wanting to be popular different from being a self-esteem based reason like wanting attention?
Posted by: Katherine Moore | July 31, 2007 12:12 PM
In my case, the real question is, "Why don't I have sex?"
We acknowledge the existence of omega males in other primate species, but not our own. It sucks to be invisible.
Posted by: HP | July 31, 2007 1:29 PM
I'm surprised that you didn't add remuneration as a major goal-based reason.
Posted by: natural cynic | July 31, 2007 2:20 PM
that falls under both "I wanted to give someone else a sexually transmitted disease" and practical considerations.
Posted by: steve | July 31, 2007 3:11 PM
Because of semen's antidepressant qualities.
Of course, that's not why I have sex. I like good dancers.
Posted by: Sandra | July 31, 2007 3:25 PM
Where does "I needed $30" fit into that taxonomy?
Posted by: Brian | July 31, 2007 5:10 PM
Because my vibrator was out of batteries.
Posted by: aynr | July 31, 2007 5:44 PM
237 Reasons
182. I wanted to become more focused on work - sexual thoughts are distracting.
160. I wanted to change the topic of conversation.
147. I wanted to keep warm.
100. I wanted to see what it would be like to have sex while stoned (e.g., on marijuana or some other drug).
But the winner is number...
69. I was slumming.
Posted by: The Neurocritic![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://scienceblogs.com/omnibrain/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 31, 2007 11:00 PM
I don't think I saw the words, "power" or "control" in the article nor in the comments thus far.
The sense of power and/or control that one can have during presex and/or the actual sexact, must be in there somewhere.
Bob
Posted by: s. r. Politzer | August 1, 2007 2:42 AM