Why do we have sex?

When I ask that question during The Talk workshops, the answers I get are as varied as what just went through your mind - and then some. People have sex to connect. They have sex to lose themselves or to find themselves again. They want to lose track of time or gain a sense of the moment. They have it for pleasure. They have it for a sense of power or to give power over to another person. Sometimes they have sex for food, or a safe place to stay, or to feel wanted and secure.

People have sex with people they like and people they’d rather not talk to. They have sex with people they know and with strangers. They have sex with people they’re afraid of and with people who keep them safe and respect them.

What we’re trying to foster through this blog and through outreach in our local community is a system of thought about sex that allows people to realize that, no matter the reason, no matter the partner, or the number of partners, they can have super-hot sex with positive outcomes. It’s within their power to choose what amount of risk they want to take on. It’s our job as health educators to help them understand what those risks are.

So, let’s talk about it. Why do you have sex?