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Americans Strike Out on Defining Sex

Not really sure what counts as third base, what's home plate

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2009 12:01 PM CDT

(Newser) – Bill Clinton said oral sex wasn’t sex. Mark Sanford says he “crossed lines” with women he wasn’t married to, but not “the sex line.” But that’s a really blurry line, the AP reports. “Nobody is really in charge of that term,” said one Kinsey Institute scientist. In one 1996 study, for example, 52% of men considered oral sex “real sex,” compared to 46% of women.

“General agreement regarding what constitutes having ‘had sex’ and how sexual partners are counted cannot be taken for granted,” researchers concluded. The term’s also a moving target, changing over time. In the 1960s, any touching below the waist was considered “third base,” according to one researcher. “Nowadays it seems that for many people the pattern of accepted activities includes oral sex as third base.”

What counts as cheating? If you're a married guy, at the end of the day you shouldn't be dancing with somebody else, says Mark Sanford.
What counts as cheating? "If you're a married guy, at the end of the day you shouldn't be dancing with somebody else," says Mark Sanford.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Americans aren't really sure where third base is anymore.
Americans aren't really sure where third base is anymore.   (Shutterstock)
Americans can't agree where third base is.
Americans can't agree where third base is.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Jes
Jul 2, 2009 4:21 AM CDT
Coming from the country of "technical virgins" is anyone really surprised?
alienvv
Jul 1, 2009 8:06 AM CDT
this society is focused mainly on sex and money...Money First - Madov stole billions -got 150 years..child rapist from Oklahoma- got 2 or 3 years for raping little kids - just what does that tells you about values here..
Derni
Jul 1, 2009 6:10 AM CDT
I guess its all a matter of perception...I suggest all read the following books Sex On The Brain and The Female Brain and that will answer all your questions on sex and why many men and women really can't maintain a 1 to 1 sex life that is fulfilling boith books are written by women

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