ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some of the common reasons why people have threesomes. Contrary to dominant perspectives of threesomes, people engage in them for many and, frequently, multiple reasons. These reasons may also change and develop over time as one grows older, gains more sexual experience, or understands one’s desires better. Threesomes can be a way to gain greater knowledge of oneself; through sexual experience gathering or exploration, individuals are better able to understand themselves and tell the ‘story’ of who they are. Threesomes are also used as a method of enhancing relationships— both friendships and romantic relationships. Alternatively, sometimes threesomes are not imbued with any particular importance and might be seen as just a bit of fun, or maybe the only way in which someone is going to be able to have sex. Thus, this chapter demonstrates the inherent complexity in understanding the reasons why people have threesomes.
