Saw the post - How important is sex in a relationship
Taking the other stance
How inportant is a close personal relationship with a sex partner
Depends on my objective at whatever phase of life I'm in ...
I do so like a woman who keeps her options open
I personally can't have sex without becoming attached. So, it may start out in a casual way, but if it continues for any length of time, and I want it to continue, I begin to become attached. I suppose this is due to brain chemistry, which increases greatly during times of intimacy. Once this happens, I believe my brain is changed in some way, either by forging new connections, or by becoming addicted to the chemicals. I don't know. I am undergoing such a relationship at the moment; it is dangerous for my well being, due to certain circumstances, and I don't know how to stop it. :'( Christians might say "turn it over to God", but an agnostic like me has to live with this attachment in every cell in my brain, and it's very tough.
I have to at least like the person I am having sex with...as a sapiosexual, it is hard to enjoy sex without at an intellectual connection.
I am going to choose very important because without a close personal relationship, sex would not be happening...it does not mean that I am committed except when I am with my partner.
I think how important it is, is the individual's call.
Some can experience great sex with people they're not emotionally attached to, or with whom they don't feel a strong mental connection.
For others, like me, one may need to really like and or care for someone, to have sex.
Some have called me a prude, but they miss the importance of really trusting the person who's doing you upsidedown while hanging from a zipline.
In a general sense, relationship is not a prerequisite for sex. However, for certain individuals, it very much IS. If the question was directed toward me, personally, a close relationship is needed before I consider getting physical. Conversely, physical attraction is needed up front for me to feel romantic toward someone.
Sex can be anything from a moment of shared pleasure between two people who want nothing more from each other to an expression of love between two people who have been exclusively together for a long period of time.
So long as both parties are honest with themselves and each other regarding what they want from the relationship, it’s a personal choice which shouldn’t be mandated by any government or religious organization beyond punishment for the use of coercion or harrassment to gain sexual Congress with another.