Intimate part
Encyclopedia
An intimate, personal, or private part is a place on the human body which is customarily kept covered by clothing
in public venues and conventional settings, as a matter of decency
, decorum, and respectfulness. The term is a euphemism
.
Definitions vary, but in Western culture
s they are primarily the parts involved in sexual arousal
, procreation, and elimination of excreta and related matter, including:
The term intimate parts may be construed to mean only the external body parts that are visible when naked
, rather than the body parts more commonly referred to. For example, when naked, a woman's pudendal cleft is predominantly visible rather than the vagina
, and a man's scrotum is visible rather than the testes which are contained within.
Female breasts are considered as parts that would be covered in most contexts, but with a degree of tolerance for toplessness
varying in different regions and cultures. For example, Fischtein, Herold and Desmarais (2005) found that of a sample of 1,479 Canadians, 72.4% felt that toplessness on city streets should be illegal, but in public parks only 62.1% felt it should be illegal and on public beaches only 48.1% felt that it should be illegal. The results for toplessness on city streets varied by gender, with significantly more women responding that it should be illegal than men; by age, with those aged 40–49 least likely (67.5%) to think it should be illegal and those aged 20–29 most likely (79.9%); and by religious commitment, with those attending church at least weekly most likely (85.1%) to think it should be illegal and those never attending least likely (57.7%). The differences became less significant for toplessness in public parks and even less so for toplessness on public beaches. The study highlighted the range of attitudes towards public nudity.
In some periods of European history
, female shoulders and legs may have been considered intimate parts. More conservative viewpoints in the West in some contexts still find it appropriate that females should cover their shoulders, particularly when entering a church or other sacred space.
In Islamic traditions, the definition of awrah
is similar to the definition of intimate parts in Western culture
. The extent of cover for the female body depends upon the situation, but may include the hair, shoulders and neck in addition to the aforementioned "intimate parts". The entire body except the face and hands should be covered in public or in front of unrelated men. The Hanafi school of thought, which is followed by most Muslims in the world, agree that the feet are not part of the awrah and therefore may be revealed.
Exposure of one's intimate parts, particularly unintended exposure, is typically connected with feelings of shame
. Such exposure may be subject to strict social rules
, social control
and criminal justice
; see indecent exposure
.
Intentionally touching the intimate parts of another person, even through clothing
, is often associated with sexual intent. If this is done without legally valid consent of the person being touched, it may be considered sexual harassment
or sexual assault
.
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
in public venues and conventional settings, as a matter of decency
Decency
Decency is the quality or state of conforming to social or moral standards of taste and propriety.-See also:*Taste *Communications Decency Act*Public indecency*Indecent exposure*Sodomy law*Norm *Grotesque body...
, decorum, and respectfulness. The term is a euphemism
Euphemism
A euphemism is the substitution of a mild, inoffensive, relatively uncontroversial phrase for another more frank expression that might offend or otherwise suggest something unpleasant to the audience...
.
Definitions vary, but in Western culture
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
s they are primarily the parts involved in sexual arousal
Sexual arousal
Sexual arousal, or sexual excitement, is the arousal of sexual desire, during or in anticipation of sexual activity. Things that precipitate human sexual arousal are called erotic stimuli, or colloquially known as turn-ons. There are many potential stimuli, both physical or mental, which can cause...
, procreation, and elimination of excreta and related matter, including:
- the buttocksButtocksThe buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
, anusAnusThe anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
and perineumPerineumIn human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures... - for boys and men: the penisHuman penisThe human penis is an external sexual organ of male humans. It is a reproductive, intromittent organ that additionally serves as the urinal duct.-Parts:...
and scrotumScrotumIn some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly... - for girls and women: the pudendal cleft, and vulvaVulvaThe vulva consists of the external genital organs of the female mammal. This article deals with the vulva of the human being, although the structures are similar for other mammals....
The term intimate parts may be construed to mean only the external body parts that are visible when naked
Nudity
Nudity is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations...
, rather than the body parts more commonly referred to. For example, when naked, a woman's pudendal cleft is predominantly visible rather than the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
, and a man's scrotum is visible rather than the testes which are contained within.
Female breasts are considered as parts that would be covered in most contexts, but with a degree of tolerance for toplessness
Toplessness
Toplessness is the state in which a female's breasts are uncovered, with the areolae and nipples visible, usually in a public space. It can also refer to a female not wearing any clothing above the waist, which is the female equivalent to a male barechestedness.The history and even the present-day...
varying in different regions and cultures. For example, Fischtein, Herold and Desmarais (2005) found that of a sample of 1,479 Canadians, 72.4% felt that toplessness on city streets should be illegal, but in public parks only 62.1% felt it should be illegal and on public beaches only 48.1% felt that it should be illegal. The results for toplessness on city streets varied by gender, with significantly more women responding that it should be illegal than men; by age, with those aged 40–49 least likely (67.5%) to think it should be illegal and those aged 20–29 most likely (79.9%); and by religious commitment, with those attending church at least weekly most likely (85.1%) to think it should be illegal and those never attending least likely (57.7%). The differences became less significant for toplessness in public parks and even less so for toplessness on public beaches. The study highlighted the range of attitudes towards public nudity.
In some periods of European history
History of Europe
History of Europe describes the history of humans inhabiting the European continent since it was first populated in prehistoric times to present, with the first human settlement between 45,000 and 25,000 BC.-Overview:...
, female shoulders and legs may have been considered intimate parts. More conservative viewpoints in the West in some contexts still find it appropriate that females should cover their shoulders, particularly when entering a church or other sacred space.
In Islamic traditions, the definition of awrah
Awrah
Awrah or Awrat is a term used within Islam which denotes the intimate parts of the body, for both men and women, which must be covered with clothing. Exposing the awrah is unlawful in Islam and is regarded as sin...
is similar to the definition of intimate parts in Western culture
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
. The extent of cover for the female body depends upon the situation, but may include the hair, shoulders and neck in addition to the aforementioned "intimate parts". The entire body except the face and hands should be covered in public or in front of unrelated men. The Hanafi school of thought, which is followed by most Muslims in the world, agree that the feet are not part of the awrah and therefore may be revealed.
Exposure of one's intimate parts, particularly unintended exposure, is typically connected with feelings of shame
Shame
Shame is, variously, an affect, emotion, cognition, state, or condition. The roots of the word shame are thought to derive from an older word meaning to cover; as such, covering oneself, literally or figuratively, is a natural expression of shame....
. Such exposure may be subject to strict social rules
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, social control
Social control
Social control refers generally to societal and political mechanisms or processes that regulate individual and group behavior, leading to conformity and compliance to the rules of a given society, state, or social group. Many mechanisms of social control are cross-cultural, if only in the control...
and criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
; see indecent exposure
Indecent exposure
Indecent exposure is the deliberate exposure in public or in view of the general public by a person of a portion or portions of his or her body, in circumstances where the exposure is contrary to local moral or other standards of appropriate behavior. Indecent exposure laws vary in different...
.
Intentionally touching the intimate parts of another person, even through clothing
Clothing
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies...
, is often associated with sexual intent. If this is done without legally valid consent of the person being touched, it may be considered sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
or sexual assault
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
.