Casual sex should be relished, celebrated, derided, stigmatized, or envied depending on the circumstances and conditions. Some individuals consider this activity very seriously, evaluating the ramifications, both physically and emotionally, along with possible advantages and disadvantages when thinking about this activity.
Others take this activity casually. With that being said, a lot of individuals have strong opinions about whether it is a good idea or not. However, this frame of mind tends to shift as circumstances, statuses, and relationships change. But whether a person is inclined to consider the topic down to its nitty-gritty aspect or go with the flow, it can be pretty helpful to take a closer look at its cultural context, as well as its potential mental health ramifications (both negative and positive) that this activity can have when deciding if it is the right thing to do.
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Casual sex
This activity can be defined in different ways and should mean other things to different individuals. But by and large, it is consensual intercourse outside of marriage or romantic relationships, usually without any expectations of commitment, attachments, or exclusivity.
Depending on the circumstance, it is also known as one-night-stands, hookups, booty calls, friends-with-benefits, or flings, among its many other names. Casual sex might happen between two people regularly or just once. It may happen between exes, close friends, uncommitted dating partners, casual acquaintances, complete strangers, or work colleagues. It might be scheduled in advance, planned, or happen spontaneously.
In essence, it is a way of having the physical intimacy of sex without its romantic, practical, or emotional components of a committed relationship or love. Some individuals form relationships from casual sex periodically. At the same time, other people do this regularly and may have more than one partners that they hook up with as part of their everyday lives.
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In context
Some individuals consider this activity as a healthy sexual outlet, just like regular exercise or a simple and enjoyable physical experience, enjoyed without the accountability, pressure, or expectations of a conventional romantic relationship. When it is engaged-in in an emotional and healthy manner, it provides the carnal desire and pleasure of physical and sexual intimacy without the mental and emotional entanglements of full-fledged relationships.
For some, it has appeal, but managing emotions, as in not feeling used, dejected, getting attached, or judged by other people, gets complicated. It can result in unrequited longing and hurt feelings. Still, other people find the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases, disappointments, and sexual assault far too great. They feel that the act should only happen in a married or committed relationship.
Effects on people’s mental health
Essentially, some people may be better compared to others at compartmentalizing or separating their sexual desires from their romantic longings. For some, emotions, as well as touch, naturally entangle. It makes casual intercourse pretty hard to keep casual, even if it was their intention. According to studies, women tend to have a more challenging time compared to men when it comes to preventing emotional attachment.
When it happens, they are more susceptible to feeling used, regretful, embarrassed, or depressed after the fact. Individuals may jump in without thinking about how they will feel after the act, only to find they are left with remorse, hurt feelings, feeling unfulfilled by the act, feeling hurt after the deed was done, as well as wishing there was more to it than just sex. It can be pretty easy to tell yourself that it is just for fun, but for other individuals, it may turn out to be a challenge just to keep their feelings in check. That is why it is vital to assess any expectations honestly.
For some, it may have the opposite effect, where they focus on keeping the connection on a physical level, telling themselves that there’s nothing else to discover (or they do not want romantic entanglements), that they may miss the possibility of a deep and lasting relationship, potentially ending the relationship in disappointment later because they did not pursue it when they had the chance. Then some individuals fully relish the physical thrills of booty calls.
Sometimes, these types of relationships exist in lopsided power dynamics that leave one or both parties longing for more (whether in a type of commitment or in frequency), while the other party keeps in casual. Clearly, this type of situation is likely to take a significant toll on the individual wanting more. There is a potential for self-esteem to take a more significant hit in these instances and for anxiety, stress, depression, or self-doubt to happen.
