Sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence
Sexual abstinence (/sɛkʃuːəl æbstɪnəns/), also known as celibacy or chastity, is the practice of refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity for medical, psychological, legal, social, philosophical, moral, or religious reasons.
Etymology
The term "abstinence" comes from the Latin word abstinere, meaning "to hold back". The term "sexual" is derived from sexus, the Latin word for "sex". The term "celibacy" comes from the Latin caelibatus, meaning "state of being unmarried", while "chastity" comes from the Latin castitas, meaning "purity".
Definition
Sexual abstinence can mean different things to different people. For some, it means refraining from all sexual activity, including masturbation. For others, it means refraining from sexual intercourse but allowing for other forms of sexual expression. Some people practice sexual abstinence until marriage, a practice often associated with certain religious or cultural beliefs.
Related Terms
- Celibacy: The state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both, usually for religious reasons.
- Chastity: The virtue of refraining from extramarital, or especially from all, sexual intercourse.
- Virginity: The state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse.
- Sexual activity: A broad term that encompasses a wide range of sexual behaviors.
- Masturbation: The sexual stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sexual abstinence
- Wikipedia's article - Sexual abstinence
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