A one-night stand is a single
sexual encounter
Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation) t ...
in which there is no expectation that there shall be any further relations between the sexual participants. It draws its name from the common practice of a one-night stand, a single night performance by an entertainer at a venue. The practice can be described as "sexual activity without emotional commitment or future involvement".
[Jeffrey S. Turner, ''American Families in Crisis: A Reference Handbook'' (2009), p. 47.]
Views
The one-night stand is the most common form of
infidelity
Infidelity (synonyms include non-consensual non-monogamy, cheating, straying, adultery, being unfaithful, two-timing, or having an affair) is a violation of a couple's emotional or sexual exclusivity that commonly results in feelings of anger, se ...
and is often used in research, polls and surveys to define the level of
promiscuity
Promiscuity is the practice of engaging in sexual activity frequently with different partners or being indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners. The term can carry a moral judgment. A common example of behavior viewed as promiscuous by man ...
in a society at any given time. It has been suggested that such an act can be as threatening to a relationship as a long-term affair:
Some women have suggested that women who feel sexually insecure or unfulfilled should seek out one-night stands for personal growth and fulfillment. One writes, "
one-night stand is the erotic manifestation of carpe diem— only we are seizing the night instead of the day". Another source advises women seeking
empowerment
Empowerment is the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities. This enables them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. It is the process of becoming strong ...
to "jumpstart your heyday by having a one-night stand",
[Jodi Lipper, Cerina Vincent, ''Live Like a Hot Chick: How to Feel Sexy, Find Confidence, and Create Balance at Work and Play'' (2010), p. 167.] and clarifies that the one-night stand should be a conscious decision.
The prevalence of one-night stands has been abetted by the advent of online dating apps such as
Tinder
Tinder is easily Combustibility and flammability, combustible material used to Firemaking, start a fire. Tinder is a finely divided, open material which will begin to glow under a shower of sparks. Air is gently wafted over the glowing tinder unt ...
and
Grindr, which allow people to connect for purposes including sexual encounters, although these tools can also be used to seek longer-term relationship partners.
Further relations
Relationship therapist Laura Berman suggests that the circumstances that lead to such an encounter do not necessarily preclude a later relationship:
In contrast to a one-night stand, if the individuals involved have recurrent sexual contact without
romantic involvement, that is considered a
casual sexual relationship.
Casual sex in college
Generally Thinking. Retrieved on 2011-04-28.
See also
* Anonymous sex
* Casual sex
Casual sex is sexual activity that takes place outside a romantic relationship and implies an absence of commitment, emotional attachment, or familiarity between sexual partners. Examples are sexual activity while casually dating, one-nig ...
* Cottaging
* Group sex
* Hookup culture
* Quickie (sexual act)
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:One-Night Stand
Casual sex