One-night stand

A one-night stand is a single sexual encounter without an expectation of further relations between the sexual participants. This is regardless of whether a single encounter was originally intended by either participant to be a one-night stand, or whether further relations between the participants subsequently occur. Critics of the practice describe it as "sexual activity without emotional commitment or future involvement".[1]

Reasons

A one-night stand can occur for different reasons, which vary between people. Examples of one-night stand participants include young adults exploring their sexuality; single people seeking to engage in sexual activity without any sort of commitment or relationship; or married people who desire extramarital sex without disturbing their marriage or family relationships through extramarital romantic relations. A one-night stand may be pre-planned, in which at least one of the participants intended for the sexual encounter to be a one-night stand prior to participating.

Further relations

It is noted that the circumstances which lead to such an encounter do not necessarily preclude a later relationship:

Certainly, having sex on a first date can be a death knell if your partner decides that a one-night stand is all he is after. On the other hand, many happy couples broke that rule of no sex on the first date and have been together for years.[2]

However, where the people involved have regular sexual relations without romantic involvement, this is generally considered a casual sexual relationship, which is distinct from a one-night stand.[3][4][5] Such a relationship may be called one with 'no strings attached'; the people involved may be called 'friends with benefits'.

Views

See also: Fornication

It has been noted that the one-night stand is the most common form of infidelity[1] and is often used in research, polls and surveys to define the level of promiscuity in a society at any given time.[6] It has also been suggested that such an act can be as threatening to a relationship as a long-term affair:

A one-night stand can be more dangerous than finding a lover with mutual considerations. This scenario is good for the business traveler who has the odds in his or her favor; however, it is very important to know with whom you are getting into bed, even for just one night. No one should be exempt from causing you a problem, no matter the distance or circumstance. A one-night stand is still a form of infidelity and can be just as damaging for you and your partner if discovered.[7]

Some women have suggested that women who feel sexually insecure or unfulfilled should seek out one-night stands for personal growth and fulfillment. One writes, "[a] one-night stand is the erotic manifestation of carpe diem— only we are seizing the night instead of the day".[8] Another source advises women seeking empowerment to "jumpstart your heyday by having a one-night stand",[9] and clarifies that the one-night stand should be a conscious choice.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jeffrey S. Turner, American Families in Crisis: A Reference Handbook (2009), p. 47.
  2. ↑ Laura Berman, It's Not Him, It's You!: How to Take Charge of Your Life and Create the Love and Intimacy You Deserve (2010), p. 132.
  3. ↑ Casual Sex, Explained (and Defined) — The Good Men Project Magazine. Goodmenproject.com (2010-08-04). Retrieved on 2011-04-28.
  4. ↑ Casual Sex. Avert.org (2005-12-11). Retrieved on 2011-04-28.
  5. ↑ Casual sex in college. Generally Thinking. Retrieved on 2011-04-28.
  6. ↑ "Liverpool named UK’s most promiscuous city in ‘one night stand’ poll". Metro.co.uk. Associated Newspapers Limited.
  7. ↑ J. Frances, Joann Perrino, Designing Infidelity: A Reference Guide to the Art of Cheating to Perfection (2006), p. 4.
  8. ↑ Susan Cheever, "Sex With a Stranger", in Erica Jong, Sugar in My Bowl: Real Women Write About Real Sex (2011), p. 35.
  9. 1 2 Jodi Lipper, Cerina Vincent, Live Like a Hot Chick: How to Feel Sexy, Find Confidence, and Create Balance at Work and Play (2010), p. 167.

External links

Look up one-night stand in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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