Missionary Sex

October 15, 2009 - 7:36 PM

The Missionary Position is one of the most common sexual positions due to its simplicity for couples to properly position themselves. The term however was not popularized until 1948 in Kinsey’s Report on sexual tendencies of the male. There is a common misunderstanding, partly from Kinsey’s report that many people believe that missionary’s taught the position to indigenous people as a respectable position.

In terms of historical context, ancient artifacts found from various civilizations found art or reliefs that had depictions of the missionary position in India, to the ancient Greeks, and Romans, the Chinese, Japanese and Peruvians.

Missionary position, prior to its most commonly referred to name went under the names of “the Mama-Papa”, “the male superior position”, “the matrimonial position”, and the “English-American” position.  

The position is also considered popular for first time couples, whether a new partner or for losing virginity. However certain sexologists and doctors recommend that the female - if it is her first time, take the top position as this allows her to choose the level and rhythm of penetration.

The position is also popular for its belief to raise the chances for conception as the woman is placed to better receive the sperm as it aids in having the sperm reaching the egg.

Variations on the missionary sex position include the Plough, the Anvil, the Grip, as well as several from the Kama Sutra named Splitting Bamboo, the Lotus and Indrani.

The Plough: is typically for more flexible females, as it requires the woman to wrap her legs around her partner. However in this position, the male can rub the female’s clitoris with his pubic bone, thus allowing for simultaneous stimulation of multiple parts of the vagina.

The Anvil: or Legs up is a position in which the male overtop of the female, while she lies flat and places both her legs on his shoulders. This leads to the deepest possible penetration of the penis into the vagina due to the angle of the male’s body.

The Grip: is different in that the male puts his legs outside of the females while she keeps her legs together. This allows further stimulation for the male as the friction of his penis rubbing against her thighs combined with the vagina squeezing can increase his orgasm.  Because of her legs being pressed together this can also stimulate the woman’s clitoris.