Polygamy in Different Cultures

In most of the Christian world, polygamy is steadily becoming an obsolete social practice. As modern society continuously develops certain "universal" norms, polygamous cultures are being driven further into extinction. Many Christian religions, including the once liberal Protestant sects, have slowly evolved into a stricter monogamous ideal, probably due in part to the growing complexities of society, civil rights and legal systems. It is no longer pragmatic, in the face of today's modern consciousness, as well as the various economic crises, to encourage the complicated and potentially destructive practice of obtaining polygamous marriages.



Apart from this general rule that is slowly being formed in today's civilized world, there are some cultures that continue to propagate the teachings involving polygamy. The more fundamental offshoots of the Mormon Church, for one, openly indulge in polygamous marriages until the present time. The Church of the Latter Day Saints used to cohesively espouse polygamous ideals as having basis in the bible. In fact they made a declaration of this ideology in 1852 and continued with the custom until just before 1890, at which time they finally denounced the practice. However, some of the more adamant members of the sect continue to practice it regardless of the Mormon's threat of excommunication.



Aside from the Mormons, the Jewish community also has to contend with continuous polygamous practices even after most of their sects have banned them. The problem lies mainly in the fact that many Jewish families who are residents of Muslim predominated societies, commonly enter into polygamous marriages. Muslims, on the other hand, follow a strict rule that only men who can provide adequately for his families may take more wives. Moreover, while polygamy is permitted as long as the husband exercises fairness in dealing with his wives, some still believe monogamy to be the preferable type of marriage for Muslims. Muslims residents of India are also permitted to have polygamous marriages even if Hinduism has discontinued its practice. In the ancient times, Hinduism tolerated polygamy, but the practice itself was usually concentrated on those of royal blood.



In many African cultures, polygamy is still being practiced to this date. However, more and more African countries are rethinking the correctness of the custom in the face the increasing density of their populations and the rapid spread of HIV. The custom used to be widely practiced in Africa because of several reasons. Firstly, polygamy was once advisable because of the high infant mortality rate and the relatively short life spans of both men and women. Moreover, since agriculture was a key aspect of society and men were scarcer than women, the idea of having more wives to breed more children seemed like the ideal solution to manpower problems in the farm. Another reason for polygamy in Africa is the fact that a man's social status was determined not only by the number of possessions and material wealth, but also by the number of wives and children he had.



What is most apparent from the discussion above is the fact that in ancient times, polygamy was the rule in most societies. The fact that it is steadily becoming extinct proves that most of modern society has replaced abstract ideals to more pragmatic ones. In the rising complexity of today's society and economic situation, it has become quite unrealistic to marry, care and provide for more than one family. Thus, with the present trend, it is unlikely that polygamy will be the rule again soon any of the world's cultures.

 

How Different Cultures Handle Losing Their Virginity

Virginity has become an obsolete concept in modern Western society, allowing young women to experiment with their sexuality while their male counterparts are doing the same. This actually results in a healthier more well-adjusted sexual identity later in life. However, virginity has not totally left the modern scene. Many cultures are still upholding the value of virginity or pre-marital chastity, mainly on the basis of predominant religious concepts.



The most popular advocate of virginity is the Catholic Church. Its most obvious validation for this stand is the teaching that all young girls are the Virgin Mary's daughters. As such, and having presented Mary as the most pristine and chaste of all women, young Catholic girls are therefore forced to follow her lead throughout their lives. Of course, sex is not prohibited once the woman has entered into the sacrament of marriage. However, while married women are viewed with respect and approval, women who remain virgins all their lives are considered as consecrated. Thus, the latter still achieves a higher status in the Catholic community. Aside from using the Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church has also employed countless symbolisms in order to justify the importance of virginity. Canonizing St. Maria Goretti, who died while trying to fight off a rapist, presents such a symbolism.



While the Catholic Church in ancient times did impose cruel punishments on women who become unchaste out of wedlock, modern ideologies have already diminished such harmful practices. However, while Catholic girls may have been spared such pain and humiliation, those from other cultures have to contend with much graver consequences. One such culture is present in Hindu countries. Chastity is a crucial virtue for all Hindu women, not only before they get married, but also after the latter's termination, usually upon the husband's death. Thus, if the husband dies, the widow, who is no longer a virgin, is not suited to wed someone else. Furthermore, her existence becomes not only superfluous, but abhorrent as well. Thus, the ancient practice called Sati was performed. This custom usually prescribes that during the husband's cremation, the wife shall fling herself into the flames. In so doing, she cements her faith and honor as a wife. A modified version of such practice is called

the Jauhar or Jouhar. This custom is performed on a larger scale, likewise prescribing that the wives kill themselves, but this time, with their husband's imminent death in mind.



These heinous practices are now outlawed in India, but some fundamentalists still press for a reversion to these traditions. Nevertheless, premarital chastity is still a highly treasured virtue in Hinduism today. The same statement holds true for Islamic cultures. Muslim brides must remain chaste until the night of their wedding. According to Islamic teachings, Allah created the hymen because it serves the function of determining the validity of intercourse, in which women may engage after marriage. The hymen is present in order to make it clear to women that sexual relations outside the marriage bond are perversions of a holy act and are considered unclean. Islam prizes the body's cleanliness above most things, and should, thus, be protected and upheld.



Unlike the modern Western culture, those discussed above maintain the importance of virginity before marriage. However, the decision of whether or not virginity is important depends essentially on personal choice. After all, a woman must be free to choose, without fear or coercion, what she can or cannot do to her own body.

 

History Of Polygamy

Marriage has essentially been viewed as a social phenomenon. As such, it is not necessary for the more basic act of procreation to take place. Because of this fact, discussions regarding marriage have always centered on the legal, cultural and religious significance of the ceremony itself and all that it entails. The types of marriages, like monogamous and polygamous marriages, exist only to fulfill certain social or religious obligations imposed upon a person by forces other than natural.



Christianity is the biggest opponent of polygamy in today's society. It may be noted, however, that the bible itself, which forms the basis for Christian faith, described some patriarchs as having polygamous marriages, like Moses (Numbers 12:1) and Abraham (Genesis 16:1, Genesis 16:3 and Genesis 25:1). These early cases of polygamy were explained by Saint Augustine in The Good of Marriage as having been rooted in the ancient times' necessity to procreate. Therefore, at present, since that necessity no longer exists, the Catholic Church has declared polygamy as unlawful. While some Protestant faiths, during the period of "Protestant Reformation," temporarily sanctioned the practice of polygamy on the basis of some of the biblical provisions, others publicly denounced it. Consequently, protestant Christians later on decided to abandon polygamy altogether.



The above stated fact, however, cannot be applied to the Church of the Latter Day Saints, or more popularly, the Mormon Church. The Mormons, rather than merely allowing the occurrence of polygamous marriages, have openly educated their members about this ideal and announced their subscription to it publicly. The Church's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., founded their doctrine of polygamy on the biblical reference stated in the previous paragraph. They openly practiced polygamy from 1852 until 1890. Before the latter date, however, when the church began to be subjected to a heavier political and legal pressure, the Mormons declared the practice unlawful, with the members who continued its practice suffering excommunication. The church members who refused to adhere to the new trend fled to friendlier territories such as Canada and set up more fundamentalist churches there.



Today, polygamy, or plural marriages, is a practice upon which, a substantial part of the world has expressed its formal scorn. It is now widely accepted by most political and legal systems that polygamy fails to meet the common moral and legal standards necessary to maintain world and societal order. This new ideal is probably the result of two major factors, namely, the spread of Christianity and the more pragmatic considerations of multiple divorces and property settlement of spouses. The latter factor merely concerns the inconveniences and conflicts attendant to having several wives or husbands, each vying for a piece of property upon the common spouse's death or divorce. Likewise repulsive is the instability that may result in the matters of the wives' and children's status in society. It is, after all, a generally accepted principle that a person's status should not be subjected to needless uncertainty. The spread of Christianity or religious evolution in general, is a much more complex factor that may have affected the world view on polygamy.

 

Erogenous zones on the female body

Since the body of a woman is one of the most delightful things in a man's life, it is only natural that men should want to be more curious about what spots must be touched to drive a woman wild with desire. The erogenous zones are areas of the female and male bodies that have heightened sensitivity. Stimulation of these areas usually results in sexual response, although not every individual responds in the same way to the stimulation of all erogenous zones.



Some of the erogenous zones of the female body, such as the nape of the neck and the inner thighs, are well known from the popular literature. Others, such as the feet and the buttocks, are seen as belonging rather to the fetish group by certain people. However, we shall review them all here.



The feet: The feet are a good place to start hen learning about the power of touch over a woman's sensitive areas. Many women like to have their toes tickled, licked and sucked on lightly. Yes, this does sound like a brave thing to do for many men, but many guys actually enjoy it. Moving up we find the back of the knees, which is an area featuring a high number of nerve endings. This means that the skin is very sensitive to touches and kisses. Further up still are the inner thighs, one of the most popular erogenous areas. Kiss them lightly, bite them lightly and caress to your (and hers) heart's content. Women will love it. At the top backside of the feet are the buttocks, another sensitive area and most women like to have it caressed. If you want to make her sizzling hot, you can also try kissing and licking and I'm sure most guys would not mind if it led to a little anal sex.



The nape of her neck and the ears. These two are a powerful combination and are usually the place to start the foreplay. Kissing, licking, caressing and massage work wonders on the most sensual part of her neck, while gently nibbling her ears will maker her hot and show you are a sophisticated lover at the same time.



The big three. And finally we come to the big three erogenous zones everybody knows about (which reminds me about that story of a German couple who did not have kids because they had no idea they were supposed to have sex, nor any idea what sex was). The big three are the lips, the breasts and the vagina/clitoris area. Kisses, caresses, licking, touching and fondling are not only highly recommended, but actually a must for any man who wants to experience the good things in life. And keep in mind that it pays to learn about both what makes your lady go over the edge with pleasure and the way to get her there.



Have fun and stay safe.

 

Sex during menstruation

So you decided to have a go at one of your fantasies and actually have sex during your lady's period. Next thing on your mind is probably the biggest question: is it safe?



Believe it or not, the answer is "yes". As long as you don't mind the mess, sex during menstruation is safe. Let me rectify that: about as safe as it can be expected. Blood is a medium in which certain infectious agents multiply, so you might want to consider that before starting. Also, the chance of getting HIV is probably sky-high with all that blood around. Better use a condom if you are not sure of yourself or your partner. Still, there is no medical reason why a mutually monogamous couple (which is also free of STDs) should not have sex during menses.



But if you are not scared by these problems, then you can go right ahead. Of course you should wait for your lady to get over the worst days of her period, if you want sex to be any fun that is. The best idea is to spread a towel on the bed in order to keep the blood off the sheets, preferably a black or dark red towel. You can try any position you want, but your best bet is to stay on top and have the lady below. This should limit the flow of blood a little. The lady could also put to good use a diaphragm or a menstrual cup in order to keep the blood in, at least for a while.



The biggest risks brought by sex during menstruation are an increase in the risk of pelvic infections and HIV (because the opening of the cervix widens) and also a higher risk of pregnancy. Yep, you read that right: pregnancy. Just because your lady is having her period does not mean that you cannot get her pregnant. It's rare, I'll grant you that, but it did happen quite a few times.



Have fun and stay safe.

 

The female g spot and how to reach with the penis

The famous G-Spot is one of the most popular topics on websites dealing wi th sex issues. This part of the body was named after German gynecologist Ernst Grafenberg, the first to describe the small area behind the pubic bone and surrounding the urethra.



This spot has risen to popular fame because it is said to promote more intense and satisfying orgasms, not to mention being able to trigger the women ejaculation so many men are curious about. Stimulation of the G-Spot was also heavily used by books on sex issues as a bonus for happy couples and a true miracle for men who fail to please their ladies.



It is believed by certain experts that the G-Spot is actually a spot through which the nerves that serve the clitoris pass on their way to the connection point in the spinal column. Others say that it has evolved as a stimulation area that triggers the final phase of childbirth. It was speculated that children coming out of the uterus push this precise sport with their heads, which triggers a stronger contraction of the vagina walls in order to send the baby out.



In order to stimulate the G-Spot, men should position their penis for a thrust that is opposite to clitoris stimulation. A penis that curves upward has the natural ability to strike the vagina wall in the area around the G-Spot, while men with downward curvatures may want to try the doggy style.



The G-Spot can also be stimulated using the finger or tongue. It would require a 1 to 3-inch penetration of the vagina, since the exact distance varies from one woman to another. Experts found that changes in tissue structure occurring beyond the age of 30 make the G-Spot easier to reach. This is why some women in their thirties believe they are experiencing their sexual peak.

 

Venereal diseases, brief overview

Venereal diseases, or sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) as they are better known today, are a series of diseases which are transmitted through sexual contact between persons, most commonly through vaginal, oral or anal sex. Another term used by experts is “sexually transmitted infections”, but this term is less common.



Venereal diseases are an old companion and concern of mankind. As the British Empire spread throughout the world, British travelers, sailors and soldiers started bringing all sorts of diseases back to England. This is why the first VD clinic opened on January 31, 1747, at the London Dock Hospital. The biggest threats in those times were the syphilis and gonorr hea and the main purpose of the clinic was to study these diseases. They were also considered incurable at the time and doctors focused mostly on treating the symptoms.



The situation changed after the discovery of antibiotics, which made a lot of the old venereal diseases curable. Public health authorities have also launched campaigns of eradication against these diseases, which led to a decline in the number of cases. However, the ‘80s meant the advent of AIDS and genital herpes, which cannot be cured by modern medicine.



The most common VDs are Syphilis, Chancroid, Chlamydia Infection, Gonorrhea, Herpes, AIDS, Candidiasis and LGV. Sexual contact is also a means of spreading parasites such as pubic lice and scabies.



The easiest way of protecting yourself from VDs is to use condoms during sex. Although this will not help you against pubic lice, it would at least prevent the spread of infections and spare you the “pleasure” of visiting the STD ward. More so since, despite all efforts, AIDS still means death.

 

Health benefits of the female orgasm

Orgasm is the crowning of a successful and highly pleasurable session of sex. It puts a smile on the lips of satisfied women and makes men walk with a swagger. It’s the biggest little thing in the world and the crucial detail and the end of a delightful exertion. Life without orgasms is simply not possible.



But orgasm is not limited in scope to making one (or two) people feel good for five or ten minutes before falling asleep. Science has shown that frequent sex and orgasms are very important to the general well-being and health of every person. The more frequent the orgasm, the better off that person is going to be on both the physical and psychological planes.



Everyday life is bound to result in some nervous tensions for most people as the troubles of jobs and relationships take their toll on the mental balance. Sex and orgasms are a chance for these tensions to join the psychological and physical build-up and release. Thus, the mind uses orgasm to flush the tensions out of the system and replace them with the delicious relaxation of that comes with pleasure.



The best thing to do after disentangling from the tender embrace is, of course, to slide into sleep. The combined exertion of sex and relaxation brought by orgasm is the perfect replacement for any sleeping pill. Instead of reaching out for the bottle of pills, you would be better off reaching out for the man lying in bed next to you or for your favorite sex toy. It’s a perfectly natural solution that we heartily recommend.



Don’t let headaches get in the way. What men don’t realize is that headaches are many times a woman’s way of saying “You have to try harder”. The pleasure brought by orgasm is the result of a discharge of endorphins into the brain. No headache can survive the attack of pleasure flooding the brain and the calming effect it has.



Aside from releasing endorphins into the brain sexual stimulation also activates the production of phenethylamine, an amphetamine secreted by the body which is thought to play a role in the regulation of appetite. Of course, sex is not meant to replace dieting, but it seems to go some way toward helping you rein in those food cravings and it does burn some calories. In fact, sex burns a bit more calories per minute than tennis.



The number of scientific studies showing that frequent orgasms are good for one’s health is testimony to the important role played by a successful sex life in the physical and mental health of all men and women. Aside from the fact that increased heart rate and heavy breathing keep the circulatory system in shape and make oxygen circulate through the body, sex has other benefits.



A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 1976 showed that failure to reach orgasm has a negative impact on the cardiovascular health of women. Doctor Winnifred Cutler, a specialist in endocrinology, found that women who have sex at least once a week are more likely to have normal menstrual cycles and higher levels of estrogen in their blood. Healthy levels of estrogen help keep the cardiovascular system in shape, fight cholesterol and keep the skin supple.



This is why we recommend the Ultimate Sex Guide. This one-stop guide to more pleasure than ever before is packed with new positions, tricks and tips that will banish boredom and routine from your relationship. Bring back the spark and make it turn into a flame with the help of new information. More pleasure means a healthier life for you and your partner.

 

Health benefits of the male orgasm

If sex is the sweet part of a relationship, then orgasm has to be all that delightful chocolate they put in my favorite sweet things. Jokes aside, sex can be very accurately described as the glue that holds together the other aspects of a relationship between two people. And orgasm is the goal of every hot sex session. The pleasure that makes the tight worlds of intimate relationships go round.



What is less known is the fact that orgasms have certain health benefits attached to them. Indeed, it’s more than just the feeling of well-being that we all have after sex. Recent studies have shown that orgasm is just as important for the overall health of men as any other function of their bodies.



In the early 1950s, Doctor Alfred Kinsey started releasing the studies into the sex lives of men and women that made him famous all over the world. One of the Kinsey reports proved that sex reduces stress and that people who have frequent sex and orgasms are less violent and less hostile than those who seldom engage in sex. This means that sex and orgasms have a long-term effect of calming down a person and helping keep the psychological balance.



Moreover, later studies showed that frequent sex and orgasms translate into lower death rates for both men and women (Duke University, 1970s and Caerphilly, 1997) lower risk of heart attacks for women (Psychosomatic Medicine, 1976). American Doctor Ted McIlvenna found that sexually active people draw far more joy from their lives than others and also take fewer sick leaves. Gynecologist Dudley Chapman contended that orgasms help the body to fight infections, a proposition supported by psychologists from the Wilkes University.



More recently, a study conducted in Melbourne, Australia, found that frequent ejaculation between the ages of 20 and 50 helps dramatically decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men. This study ties in with other research suggesting that regular orgasm in males prevents painful urination in old age. According to these studies, frequent male ejaculation is crucial for avoiding many prostate-related problems.



So there you have it, people. It’s plain to see that humans were meant to have sex often and to enjoy it a lot. The body and the mind suffer without the frequent combination of exertion and release brought by sex and orgasms. This is why I’d like to tell you about a pill that makes orgasm all the more powerful. With so many positive sides to it and with practically no disadvantage, there is no reason why you shouldn’t draw even more pleasure out of your orgasm.



VolumePills increases the production of sperm in the testicles and the release of testosterone in order to make sure you feel the need for more sex and you get a bigger kick out of it. More sperm means longer and more powerful orgasm. It also means better moods for your lady, as demonstrated by a study conducted by Gordon Gallup. According to this study, semen reduces depression in women via mood-altering hormones that are absorbed through the vagina.



So there you have it! Frequent sex and orgasms are good for both you and your partner and VolumePills can help you last longer and feel even more pleasure. Nothing to lose and a whole lot of pleasure and good health to gain.

 

Spicing up your relationship

Life is made of many things that we either love or hate. All of us are busy trying to get as much as possible of the things we love and to avoid those we hate, Relationships, however, are among the rare things that are entirely up to us. Relationships can be wonderful or hateful. It’s the feeling between the partners, the experience and the chemistry that count. If you love the other and know enough about yourself and the world to avoid mistakes then you’ll have a fine relationship. If you and your partner are also satisfied with each other in bed, then heaven is one step away.



Exploration is one of the keys to the kingdom of love. You have to know how to do it and how to time it. Don’t leave it out of the relationship or it will go stale. Don’t rush it either or pretty soon there’ll be nothing left to explore. Wanting to know your partner inside out is fine, but don’t try to learn it all in the first three months. This is a process you can spread over a couple of years, leaving little secrets for future discoveries and preparing surprises for your partner.



The same goes for sex and its role in relationships. For some people, sex is the great catalyst that binds a relationship and makes it good. It’s the act that ends all fights and makes everything seem perfect for a while. For others, sex is a pleasant, but not overly so, pastime, a sort of bonus to the relationship. No chance of it being the main course here.



Regardless of what you want sex to be in the relationship, this act of physical pleasure should benefit from the passion to explore that we have discussed above. Many men and women who say sex is a modern obsession that should be given no more than its proper place in a relation have little idea of what sex could be. The combinations of moves and positions available for both foreplay and sex are practically unlimited and the pleasure of sustained exploration for things that could further enhance the experience for both partners is like buying a hot new car and finding a case full of money in the trunk.



However, we know that searching for tips and tricks and hints may be a difficult business. Many people don’t have the time for this, especially in today’s busy world. A thorough knowledge of sexual techniques is ideal for men and women looking for the ultimate sensual experience and we could all use a guide or list of tips every once in a while.



This is where we come in. The Ultimate Sex Guide is a compilation of positions, facts and hints designed to be your one-stop sex manual. We have a huge selection of content featuring hours of downloadable tutorial footage that will bring out the lover within you and put a smile on your partner’s lips. Imagine the old spark coming back to your life as you surprise your partner with a new move, a new position or a different approach.



Whether you’re looking for the ancient Indian techniques described in the Kama Sutra, toys for sweet sex games or just some tips on how to convince your partner to go along with a fantasy, then the Ultimate Sex Guide is the website for you. Start learning today and you’ll be a better lover in no time at all.