Positions in Intercourse
 

In the discussion of physical relationships, it may be well to include some comment on the desirability, the advantage, and the practicability of various positions assum-able in sexual intercourse. It is realized there has been considerable hearsay with respect to this matter; that the average man has encountered much, suggesting the existence of numerous and interesting possibilities in position additional to those with which everyone is familiar.

This is loose talk and is not to be taken seriously, regardless of hearsay. There are only six basic positions, all conventional, and any others must be considered inconsequential variations thereof.

Although all the basic positions are by no means desirable, necessity frequently forces a couple to adopt one of them. Various names are applied to them, but for the sake of simplicity, the word or phrase most descriptive will be employed. Set down in no particular order, these are the "man-above position," the "man-below position," the "side position," the "rear-entry position," the standing position," and the 'sitting position." The variations which any of these may take are obvious, and it is unnecessary to set them all down, particularly since the variations are not so effective as the basic positions themselves.

As simple examples, the man-below position may be combined with the rear-entry position. However, the conventional manner of assuming the rear-entry position— with the female on her hands and knees, the male on his knees, clasping her about the body—is preferable since this would give him the opportunity not only of fondling the breasts but also of giving digital stimulation to the clitoris. Similarly, the sitting position may be combined with the rear-entry position, but since in the conventional manner the couple face each other, the woman astride the man, this would normally be the choice. The male can simultaneously kiss his partner's breasts and allow her to lean forward for closer genital contact, possibly even allowing the penis and clitoris to meet occasionally.

Considering the positions by themselves aside from any particular preference, since this is wholly a matter of individual choice, the one allowing the greatest intimacy is the side position. Properly assumed, the male is lying on the left side, the female on her right with her right leg between both of her partner's and her left, thrust upward, knee bent, and lying across his right hip. No other position allows the crotches of the couple such intimate contact. At the same time, it is possible for the male to kiss either the female mouth or her breasts by the slightest shift of position. However, for a couple who prefer rapid rhythm, this would hardly be the selection. It is the position for people who prefer slow and deep contact.

The man-above position is probably the one engaged in by the majority. There is nothing at all imaginative about it, but it does permit the fastest rhythm. While some authorities are inclined to be critical if the male fails to rest most of his weight on his elbows, it may be said that this indicates a rather limited experience, since many women desire to have the male wrap his arms about them, pressing their breasts against his and engaging in passionate kissing. The rule always to be kept in mind is to behave in whatever manner the woman prefers.

In the man-above position, it may be necessary for a woman to clasp her legs about the male waist or raise them, knees bent, above the waist, to allow him easier or deeper access. Adjustment may be made also by placing a pillow under the female buttocks to elevate the vagina to a suitable height. These adjustments are independent of the size of the female; it is as necessary on occasion to adjust for a tall woman as for a short one.

The chief advantage of the man-below position lies in the fact that it enables a woman to take the initiative and satisfy herself completely while imposing the least amount of activity and consequent restraint upon the male.

The rear-entry position is probably seldom employed. When large abdomens are involved, it is the most satisfactory, particularly when combined with the sitting position. Although it allows the male the use of his hands, there is less warmth to intimacy involving abdomen against buttocks than abdomen against abdomen.

The sitting position, most frequently used as a matter of expediency, necessity, or as a break in the monotony of the usual bedroom routine, can be reversed effectively by having the woman instead of the man sit on a fairly low object such as a divan or arm chair. Leaning back and throwing her legs over the shoulders of the male, who is resting on his knees, she enables a deep and close contact to be effected.

The standing position, in which for greater comfort the female should stand on some elevation to avoid the necessity of having the male bend his knees, is definitely an emergency measure. Young people, secretly wed and living with their respective parents, or couples who live apart and have no privacy, are usually driven to this extreme. This position is an alternative of desperation and permits no great degree of comfort whatever.

It must be emphasized, regardless of the position described, that no two couples will or can assume it in the identical manner. For that reason it is not possible to advise exactly how far forward or backward, for example, a man should be situated in assuming the man-above position. Individuals will always find it necessary to make some minor adjustment to conform with their preferences, physical differences, or comfort. Nor can the same position necessarily be assumed identically with two women of approximate size and proportion. Slightly slimmer thighs, while making little apparent difference in the physical appearance of two women, can make a surprising difference with respect to the adjustment necessary in copulation. Likewise, the slant of the pelvic bone or the amount of flesh covering it may completely alter the possibility of the male organ engaging the clitoris, an accomplishment supremely difficult, if not out of the question at any time. Even the position of the clitoris itself, or the location, angle, or size of the vaginal canal varies from woman to woman. Obviously, fleshy buttocks will elevate a female higher and appear to offer readier access to the vagina than will slimness of build in the same area. On the other hand, this seeming advantage may be offset by a more acute slant of the vaginal canal, or a compensating obliqueness of canal structure on the part of a thin woman.

Consequently, a position, comfortable and enjoyable with one woman, can be entirely out of the question with another; and, of course, practically the same comments can be made with respect to a man. It is important, then, that every couple experiment with the customary basic positions and make minor adjustments thereto in order to discover the ones in which they are the most relaxed. Relaxation is essential to a perfect sex relationship. While it is foolish to go out of one's way to devise some farfetched posture, it is always intelligent to effect improvement wherever possible.

In closing this chapter, it should be remarked that proper and perfect sexual intercourse is a matter of good technique combined with a certain limited knowledge of biology and anatomy, with emphasis on the former. With good technique, any normal woman can be satisfied. Without it, failure is the almost inevitable consequence.