Some Culturally-Based Differences in Sexual Activity

Kissing

Although kissing on the mouth is one of the most basic sources of sexual arousal in Western society, it is uncommon or completely absent in many other cultures. In a survey of 190 societies, it was found that only 21 of these engaged in kissing on the mouth, and only 13 saw mouth kissing as a preface or accessory to sexual intercourse (Ford, Frank, and Beach, 1951). For example, the Hindu people of India tend to avoid kissing because they believe that it symbolically contaminates the act of coitus. The Thonga of South Africa view kissing as revolting. Another example: Both the people of the Trobriand Islands and some North American Eskimo societies rather rub noses than kiss.

Foreplay

Foreplay