Why Sex Is More Like Other Social Interactions Than We Typically Acknowledge

This piece expands on the idea that sexual pleasure is a vital but often overlooked component of health and well-being, arguing that one barrier to pleasure lies in the social dynamics that shape partnered sex. Through interviews, the author finds that people describe sex less as a purely biological act and more as a social interaction governed by expectations, awkwardness, impression-management, and power—much like any everyday encounter. People fake orgasms, avoid communicating discomfort, or agree to unwanted sex because they fear embarrassment or tension, revealing how social pressures can eclipse bodily desire. While solo sexual experiences, including porn use, remove many of these interactional burdens, partnered sex requires navigating these universal social complexities. Recognizing sex as a social encounter—and not only a physical one—can help us better understand how pleasure is achieved or inhibited, and why fostering communication, ease, and mutual comfort is essential for supporting sexual pleasure, health, and happiness.