Celibacy: Encyclopedia - Celibacy

Celibacy

Celibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. An oath of celibacy is a promise not to enter into marriage. Some writers prefer this usage of "celibacy", while others use it interchangeably as a synonym for abstinence.

Some writers on sexuality draw a distinction between abstinence and celibacy, stating that celibacy means refraining from any sexual activity with a partner. They argue that this can be empowering, as it still allows that person to be "sexual" (through, for example, masturbation). This would not, however, be refered to as chaste celibacy, as masturbation is not considered a chaste act.

The term involuntary celibacy refers to lack of sexual intercourse for reasons other than (voluntary) abstinence, e.g. shyness / love-shyness.

See also

• Chastity
• Asexuality
• Clerical celibacy
• Involuntary celibacy
• Brahmacharya
• Virgin

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Celibacy", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki