Why Do People Want to Try Having Sex in Public?

While the concept of engaging in sexual activity in public is widespread, it evokes more than just sexual arousal in both societal and legal contexts. Research on public sex primarily focuses on deterring individuals from expressing their sexual desires in public, yet discussions often generalize the motivations behind it.

It's crucial to recognize that people engage in public sex for various reasons, particularly if one holds reservations about such behavior. Several motivations can be identified.

Firstly, some individuals find the idea of having sex in a public setting where they might be observed appealing. For them, the potential for being seen holds significance, while others experience heightened arousal knowing that a stranger may be watching.

Others are intrigued by the thrill of engaging in something considered "bad" or socially unacceptable. While some may find arousal in the possibility of getting caught, for most, the excitement stems from the risk or danger associated with being caught. The perception of public sex as indecent or taboo adds to its allure.

Additionally, some individuals simply enjoy the novelty of having sex outdoors, away from conventional indoor settings like bedrooms or kitchens. Their enjoyment of outdoor sex may not necessarily involve the presence of onlookers; rather, they may utilize private outdoor spaces if available. However, for city dwellers lacking access to such spaces, public areas become the only viable option for outdoor sexual encounters.

In addition, some individuals may own private property but cannot engage in the desired type of sexual activity at home. There are also those who must resort to public places to meet sexual partners and engage in various types of sexual activity, even if it involves someone other than their partner at home. Consequently, these individuals, along with the next group mentioned, are arguably at the highest risk of injury due to public sex.

Furthermore, there are individuals who lack any form of home or private space. For those living on the streets, in shelters, or in facilities without personal rooms, public sex becomes the only option available. Considering their lack of alternatives, punishing them for engaging in public sex seems absurd, as they are essentially forced to live their lives in public. This group faces significant penalties for public sex and has the fewest options available to them.

Lastly, some people derive enjoyment from the secrecy of having sex in public without anyone knowing. This form of intimacy often involves wearable vibrators or hands-free sex toys, available in various shapes and sizes from specialized sex toy manufacturers. Many women have already experimented with panty vibrators or egg-shaped sex toys. For those interested in anal play, inserting a vibrating anal plug is a simple way to enjoy a stroll in the park while their partner controls the device. The market offers a wide range of options for such preferences.

Is It Ethical to Have Sex in Public?

There are no clear right or wrong answers regarding ethics. What's considered ethical by some may be seen as unethical by others, and ethical judgments often depend on specific circumstances. Ethics serves as a method for exploring issues rather than offering universal solutions. Here's my perspective on the matter.

In my view, the key ethical concern with public sex revolves around consent. Consent is fundamental because most people agree that non-consensual sex is unethical. Ethical sexual activity requires consent from all parties involved.

Considering this, let's examine a hypothetical scenario:

Imagine it's a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and I decide to engage in sexual activity in a public setting, such as a baseball field in a park. As I'm in the midst of the act on first base, a passerby unexpectedly stumbles upon the scene and is taken aback. Our eyes meet, and in that moment of connection, I sense a strange intimacy, as if a hidden part of myself has been revealed to them.

Is this person accountable for my sexual activity?

Although they're not physically engaging in sex with me, I argue that they are participating in the act by observing me and reacting to what they witness (whether that reaction is fear, anger, arousal, interest, or joyful laughter).

This implies their involuntary involvement. They didn't anticipate stumbling upon me having sex while strolling through their favorite park on a Saturday afternoon. Hence, this scenario appears non-consensual and thus unethical.

I'd like to clarify my previous ethical assessment.

First and foremost, I want to stress that just because someone views something as unethical doesn't necessarily mean it's "wrong" or that others should abstain from it. So, when I express that I perceive sex in public as unethical, it doesn't imply that I advocate never engaging in it (although I strongly discourage having sex on first base in a baseball field in a public park on a Saturday afternoon).

Secondly, I want to highlight the significance of context. If any aspect of the aforementioned scenario were altered, my conclusion might differ.

Lastly, I believe in applying the principle of reasonable effort in this context. I deem it ethical to engage in sexual activity in a public setting while exerting reasonable efforts to avoid being observed, such as seeking a more secluded location. Although I can't endorse this approach due to its illegality, it may align more closely with the ethical standpoint I've outlined above.