# Are the multiple penetrations that occur in sex biological or cultural? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 28, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222 "2015-03-28T17:40:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/101 "2015-03-30T21:16:43Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > No. Wrong. > > The thrusting occurs PRIOR to ejaculation. And, generally, further thrusting after ejaculation feels unpleasant. Not to mention that the semen is already in the vagina and the sperm are making their merry way, one hopes or prays not, depending, into the uterus, where, Umbrage, the _penis does not go_. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/102 "2015-03-30T21:26:47Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > Can a woman get pregnant without the male achieving orgasm and hence ejaculation? “Ejaculation” means an expulsion of sperm, so pregnancy cannot happen without ejaculation. “Orgasm” is the sensation that generally accompanies ejaculation. In theory ejaculation can happen without orgasm, but usually only a small amount of semen is emitted in such instances. Pregnancy can and does occur in such cases (in other words, you can get pregnant from “pre-cum”), but it usually doesn’t happen that way. ---
**Author:** ![Paradoxdevoured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@Paradoxdevoured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paradoxdevoured)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/103 "2015-03-30T23:13:32Z")
To be quite simply put… The answer would be both. It is cultural upon the basis that we are the culmination of all our past memories and experiences, interactions with others and their own, and so on… If you are taught to open a banana from the stem it’s how you open it. But humans mimic to learn and experience. Wild primates would open the banana from the bottom instead. We in turn have people that do both… (What monkey see monkey do). If you watch many species mate it’s done many different ways… However humans experiment in positions and technic while other species do not… However biological as well. Spiecies are genetically hard wired for the purpose of propagation otherwise all would die out… The individual choice in action being the cultural, but the need to propagate being biological. The action of quick multiple rhythmic penitrations, could also be argued as part of the human brain that selects it for the purpose of instant gratification… Even though other technics actually increase gratification levels. The human brain also allows us to question and develop new methods of achieving our end goals… If you where to look back and consider, most likely our underdeveloped evolutionary ancestors in either cultural or biological evolution. The act of mating would be most commonly be made by force for the purpose of dominance (still seen in many Stone Age tribes) or for the desire to pass on this genetic code, the male would require stimuli. During any resistance it would therefore cause this motion and the engaging male would continue the stimuli until achieving insemination. Thus biologically both anatomically, phycologicaly and culturally becoming an evolutionary trait… If you use words to seduce a woman it is only done because of the development and evolution of language by usage and communication… But all that would be another topic… ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/104 "2015-03-31T00:47:09Z")
> [@Emiliana](#): > > Not to mention that the semen is already in the vagina and the sperm are making their merry way, one hopes or prays not, depending, into the uterus, where, Umbrage, the _penis does not go_. Well, there was that one time… ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/105 "2015-03-31T01:56:06Z")
At band camp? ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/106 "2015-03-31T12:45:31Z")
Many’s the starfished woman’s night of sex. Plus, I (guy) was once so stoned that a when a girl touched my penis I ejaculated, I think. Orgasm and rushing begin to merge sometimes. /true story ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/107 "2015-03-31T16:17:07Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > I was just wondering whether or not multiple penetrations/rhythmic thrusting is natural. Why can’t there be a single penetration or one single rhythmic thrust? What part of the nervous system controls this thrust? Is the thrust voluntary or autonomous? It’s not an either-or question. Eating is instinctive, but it’s definitely under voluntary control, except possibly in extreme cases. But, let me put it this way: once things get started, it takes a bit of willpower to STOP thrusting, before orgasm/ejaculation. The natural/cultural question is often misleading, since we are cultural animals, and we don’t make sense outside a cultural setting, since at least a few million years anyway. But in this case there’s a fairly simple answer. In many cultures and in the not-too-distant past, many people had sex without ever seeing it done or hearing much about it (thanks to religious prudeness). I’d be willing to bet dollars to donuts that repeated thrusting was still involved, since (except when young and very horny) that’s what’s required to get the job done. The species hasn’t fizzled out. ---
**Author:** ![Umbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Umbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/108 "2015-04-01T01:22:13Z")
> [@Learjeff](#): > > It’s not an either-or question. Eating is instinctive, but it’s definitely under voluntary control, except possibly in extreme cases. Instinctive does not mean non-voluntary. It just means that you innately know it or that nobody has to teach you. [QUOTE=Learjeff] But, let me put it this way: once things get started, it takes a bit of willpower to STOP thrusting, before orgasm/ejaculation. [/QUOTE] So, from the woman’s perspective, can the woman do anything to stop it? What if the thrusting behavior feels uncomfortable for the woman? Can the woman’s legs repel the man? [QUOTE=Learjeff] I’d be willing to bet dollars to donuts that repeated thrusting was still involved, since (except when young and very horny) that’s what’s required to get the job done. The species hasn’t fizzled out. [/QUOTE] Perhaps, all it matters is, do whatever it takes to fertilize the woman? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/109 "2015-04-01T01:48:26Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > I did not decry the rhythmic thrusting behavior. I was just wondering whether or not multiple penetrations/rhythmic thrusting is natural. Why can’t there be a single penetration or one single rhythmic thrust? What part of the nervous system controls this thrust? Is the thrust voluntary or autonomous? > [@Umbridge](#): > > Instinctive does not mean non-voluntary. It just means that you innately know it or that nobody has to teach you. No one has to teach you. It feels good. People do it > [@](#): > > So, from the woman’s perspective, can the woman do anything to stop it? What if the thrusting behavior feels uncomfortable for the woman? Can the woman’s legs repel the man? Sometimes, if the woman has very strong leg muscles and if the man isn’t strong enough to resist it. But more commonly, what happens when a person is feeling uncomfortable, he or she says something. Communication of one’s feelings is very common during sex. > [@](#): > > Perhaps, all it matters is, do whatever it takes to fertilize the woman? I don’t understand this question. ---
**Author:** ![Umbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Umbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/110 "2015-04-01T02:33:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > But more commonly, what happens when a person is feeling uncomfortable, he or she says something. Communication of one’s feelings is very common during sex. So, if the man is on top of the woman, that means his body weight is pinning the woman down on the bed. Is the weight concentrated in one or a few locations, or is the weight spread out? Can a man and a woman have sex side-by-side? If they do, then wouldn’t one leg from the woman be crushed by the man’s weight? How long does sex take? How does one know when it is over and sleep can take over? Can people communicate/talk during an orgasm? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/111 "2015-04-01T11:47:00Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > So, if the man is on top of the woman, that means his body weight is pinning the woman down on the bed. To some extent, yes. > [@](#): > > Is the weight concentrated in one or a few locations, or is the weight spread out? It depends on the exact position they are in. There are dozens of specific ways two people can arrange their bodies in a man-on-top position, and all this depends on the shapes of the two people’s bodies and their relative sizes. In the most basic missionary position, the man’s pelvis and hips press down on the woman’s pelvis and hips. If the couple positions themselves in different ways, the man could also use his thighs, chest, and hands on the woman’s body. > [@](#): > > Can a man and a woman have sex side-by-side? Yes. It’s a more difficult position than the basic three—(a) man on top, (b) woman on top, (c) man behind woman—but it’s possible, again, depending upon the two people’s specific shapes and relative sizes. > [@](#): > > If they do, then wouldn’t one leg from the woman be crushed by the man’s weight? (1) The woman’s lower leg need not be under the man. (2) Even if it is, it won’t necessarily be “crushed.” I’m not going to go into any more detail on describing positions. There are hundreds of books available that show diagrams of sex positions. It seems to me you might benefit from some reading. > [@](#): > > How long does sex take? On average it takes a few minutes. However, it can theoretically last much longer, until the parties tire out or the man loses his erection or the woman’s lubrication dries up. Generally it ends long before any of these three happen. > [@](#): > > How does one know when it is over and sleep can take over? Most commonly, it ends with the man’s orgasm and ejaculation, at which point continued penetration becomes uncomfortable for the man and he loses his erection. It might, however, end for other reasons. > [@](#): > > Can people communicate/talk during an orgasm? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/112 "2015-04-01T12:06:23Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > So, if the man is on top of the woman, that means his body weight is pinning the woman down on the bed. Is the weight concentrated in one or a few locations, or is the weight spread out? Can a man and a woman have sex side-by-side? If they do, then wouldn’t one leg from the woman be crushed by the man’s weight? How long does sex take? How does one know when it is over and sleep can take over? Can people communicate/talk during an orgasm? Oh, there are several positions available besides the missionary position (man on top). The girl can be on top the man aka the Cowgirl or spooning,which is side by side. Alternatively, there is doggy style where the women bends over and lets the man take her from behind (not to be confused with anal), which can be useful when there’s no bed available, but of cos can also be practiced in a bed. How long it takes depends on how much fun it is, how much experience you got or how urgent it is, however the time frame is anything from 30 sec to 5-15min up to hours. From a mans point of view, you know when its over, since the phallus is not erect anymore or after the man had his orgasm. To determine the finish for a women is more difficult, since the women is the receptacle and designed differently and can usually perform the required actions until the male is done with his business, during which time the female can have several orgasm or none. If the female had an orgasm is not necessary for procreation. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/113 "2015-04-01T12:11:00Z")
Sex is instinctive and does not have to be learned. If you put a male and a female child on a desert island with no knowledge whatsoever of sex and they have no medical problems. I guarantee that the female will get pregnant soon after she becomes fertile. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/114 "2015-04-01T12:16:45Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Sex is instinctive and does not have to be learned. > > If you put a male and a female child on a desert island with no knowledge whatsoever of sex and they have no medical problems. I guarantee that the female will get pregnant soon after she becomes fertile. It’s true. I saw it in [this documentary](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Lagoon_%281980_film%29). ---
**Author:** ![Umbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Umbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/115 "2015-04-01T13:40:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > To some extent, yes. > > It depends on the exact position they are in. There are dozens of specific ways two people can arrange their bodies in a man-on-top position, and all this depends on the shapes of the two people’s bodies and their relative sizes. > > In the most basic missionary position, the man’s pelvis and hips press down on the woman’s pelvis and hips. If the couple positions themselves in different ways, the man could also use his thighs, chest, and hands on the woman’s body. > > Yes. It’s a more difficult position than the basic three—(a) man on top, (b) woman on top, (c) man behind woman—but it’s possible, again, depending upon the two people’s specific shapes and relative sizes. > > (1) The woman’s lower leg need not be under the man. > (2) Even if it is, it won’t necessarily be “crushed.” > > I’m not going to go into any more detail on describing positions. There are hundreds of books available that show diagrams of sex positions. It seems to me you might benefit from some reading. > > On average it takes a few minutes. However, it can theoretically last much longer, until the parties tire out or the man loses his erection or the woman’s lubrication dries up. Generally it ends long before any of these three happen. > > Most commonly, it ends with the man’s orgasm and ejaculation, at which point continued penetration becomes uncomfortable for the man and he loses his erection. It might, however, end for other reasons. > > Yes. Thank you for writing so dispassionately and directly! I really appreciate your responses here! 😃 Now, I have one more question. Is there a sex position that involves the least amount of effort and experience? ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/116 "2015-04-01T13:51:57Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > … I was just wondering whether or not multiple penetrations/rhythmic thrusting is natural. … Someday you may have sex and if you do I want you to try this: Try to \*\*NOT \*\*rhythmically thrust. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/117 "2015-04-01T13:54:13Z")
> [@Umbridge](#): > > Is there a sex position that involves the least amount of effort and experience? Whoever is lying on his or her back can let the other person do all the work. So that takes the least effort, and it takes little experience to do nothing. So, if you are a man, then lying on your back in a woman-on-top position can be done with no effort and no experience. In such a case, it would be necessary for the woman to expend effort and to apply her experience. One would hope that the man would take the opportunity to do or try _something_,—in other words, use the opportunity to build experience—because it might not be very pleasurable for the woman to do all the work all the time. ---
**Author:** ![chaika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chaika/32/405_2.png) [@chaika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaika)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/118 "2015-04-01T14:36:55Z")
I completely agree with a previous poster who suggested doing a bit of reading to clear up your various misconceptions. You seem to have some very basic misunderstandings about sex. I am reminded of an old boyfriend who had somehow reached adulthood absolutely convinced that if he achieved orgasm during intercourse it meant that his partner had also had an orgasm. (Hint: he was wrong.) So you know, knowledge is good. But at the same time, might I respectfully suggest that you are overthinking things a tad? I mean, it’s one thing to memorize the Drivers’ Ed handbook and quite another to actually drive a car. In other words, nothing can substitute for actual experience in the driver’s seat. So to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/119 "2015-04-01T14:54:16Z")
This book is one that is often highly recommended — [http://www.amazon.com/The-Guide-Getting-It-On/dp/1885535333](http://www.amazon.com/The-Guide-Getting-It-On/dp/1885535333) ---
**Author:** ![Umbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Umbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222/120 "2015-04-01T15:02:19Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Whoever is lying on his or her back can let the other person do all the work. So that takes the least effort, and it takes little experience to do nothing. > > So, if you are a man, then lying on your back in a woman-on-top position can be done with no effort and no experience. In such a case, it would be necessary for the woman to expend effort and to apply her experience. > > One would hope that the man would take the opportunity to do or try _something_,—in other words, use the opportunity to build experience—because it might not be very pleasurable for the woman to do all the work all the time. Does the same thing apply if the sexually inexperienced person is the woman? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-multiple-penetrations-that-occur-in-sex-biological-or-cultural/716222.md?page=7)