ABSTRACT
Sadly, the vast majority of couples only utilize two dimensions of touch—affection and intercourse. This results in the traditional male—female power struggle of “intercourse or nothing”. This chapter explores a motivating, empowering new model of touch, pleasure, and sexuality. There are five dimensions of touch—affection, sensual, playful, erotic, and intercourse. The core of couple sexuality is giving and receiving pleasure-oriented touch. Affectionate touch is not sexual, but anchors the couple in terms of attachment. The other four dimensions—sensual, playful, erotic, and intercourse—are all forms of sexual expression with varied levels of subjective arousal. Sharing pleasure and arousal is much more important than intercourse performance. Couple sexuality is variable and flexible with a range of roles, meanings, and outcomes.
