intimacy
Intimacy ( Latin intimus ; literally 'furthest from the edge', 'furthest inside') is a state of deepest familiarity. Intimacy prevails in the intimate sphere - a personal area that is defined by the presence exclusively of certain or no other people and does not affect outsiders. The intimate sphere and thus the intimacy is violated by indiscretion . A violation of intimacy can make people mentally unstable .
If there is physical closeness or a (mostly emotional ) contact, one speaks of physical intimacy , ancient (and not only sexual) also of caress ( caress as an action versus intimacy as a state).
In everyday language , on the other hand, intimacy often only means sexual contact , which, however, does not have to mean deepest familiarity.
Physical intimacy
Physical intimacy is usually the physical closeness or contact between two people.
It is used to express sympathy and empathy .
In terms of intensity, these intimacies can be ranked as follows:
Proximity, eye contact , body contact on the arms and hands, on the legs and feet, on the face and head, on the genitals and on the whole body and as the deepest intimacy of sexual intercourse .
Physical intimacy can be broken down into physical closeness, emotional physical intimacy, and sexual intimacy .
The reason for physical closeness can either be the sought-after closeness or the unwanted closeness that is not targeted - such as a lack of space. Physical proximity is sometimes unavoidable (means of transport , gastronomy, etc.). The physical proximity can be perceived as unpleasant or pleasant ( distance behavior ).
Sexual and emotional touch each include physical closeness.
Emotional physical intimacy
- General physical intimacies are sympathy-based touches, for example, hooking the arms, kissing the cheek, embracing and briefly holding hands .
- Family physical intimacies are u. a. the petting , feeding, cuddling and patting (as well as all of the above actions).
- Physical intimacies in the partnership are, for example, cuddling, exchanging tenderness, sitting or lying positions (e.g. on / next to / on the other), stroking through the hair, frotteurism , massage , kissing and sexual practices by everyone Type (as well as all of the above).
A partnership without mutual love , for example friendship , can also have physical intimacies. The occurrence is very different around the world: In western cultures it is more common for women or girls to touch each other than men or boys. In other cultures, particularly Arab and Nepalese cultures, men and boys naturally hold hands in public without same-sex affection. In northern India it is not uncommon to see two younger male police officers walking hand in hand on the patrol. Many East Asian cultures reject such intimacy - especially in public.
Sexual intimacy
Sexual intimacy is usually the expression of the highest degree of affection or pleasure . It mainly takes place in the love relationship . It includes, for example, petting and sexual intercourse , which most people perceive as the highest and most extensive form of physical intimacy. Although men and women can orgasm on their own, hugging a loved one finds it more satisfying for most - this is how sexual intimacy expresses our social nature.
See also
literature
- Anthony Giddens: Change of Intimacy . Fischer, 1993, ISBN 3-596-11833-6 .
- Carla Godersky: Intimacy in Organizational Relationships - Theoretical Foundations, Origin and Effects . Peter Lang Verlag, 2000, ISBN 3-631-36509-8 .
- Wunibald Müller: Intimacy - The wealth of holistic encounters . 4th edition. Matthias Grünewald Verlag, 1989, ISBN 3-7867-1406-1 .
- Safi Nidiaye: Intimacy - The Secret of Happiness . Integral, 2007, ISBN 3-7787-9181-8 .
- Intimacy and shame. The need for protected spaces . In: Publik-Forum Extra , 2012, ISBN 978-3-88095-224-9 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Oxford Latin Dictionary , PGW Glare (ed.), Oxford University Press, USA, March 24, 1983, ISBN 0-19-864224-5 , p. 952.
- ↑ David G. Myers: Psychology. 2nd Edition. Springer, Berlin 2008, ISBN 978-3-540-79032-7 , p. 540.