Lecture Notes

Let's first define sexual variations. Sexual variations refer to those behaviors that are not statistically typical of American sexual behaviors. These behaviors also may occur in addition to the "mainstream" expression of sexuality.

"Sexual variation" is the most common term used, although terms like atypical sexual behavior or kinky sex are often used. It is important to note, however, that atypical does not necessarily mean abnormal; it simply means that the majority of people do not engage in that particular behavior or that it occurs outside of the culturally sanctioned sexual behaviors. Most sexual variations are also not identified as mental disorders.