ABSTRACT
The modern emphasis on sexual intercourse as being the heart of the relationship of the married couple is based on a theologically sound basis, emanating from the scriptures. This chapter discusses the Christian era with the Judaic tradition in which marriage and sexual intercourse are firmly established and valued. The intimacy in marital couples inevitably leads to quarrels, conflict and pain. This is an inevitable aspect of interpersonal closeness. The chapter outlines the biology and psychology of sexual intercourse. Before coitus takes place, there is sexual attraction and sexual desire. The obvious manifestation of intercourse is its intense sexual pleasure, culminating in the orgasm. Although this is its predominant characteristic, sexual intercourse is an encounter between persons and its meaning is inter-personal. The chapter explores this meaning in terms of a language in which the couple are speaking to each other with their bodies.
