What is the difference—or perhaps the similarity—between making love and having sex? We found the answer, and truth be told, we were a bit surprised by how experts perceive it. Read on to learn more.
Making Love vs. Having Sex
As noted on Teen Health Source, sex or sexual activity means different things to different individuals, but one thing is certain: it is a healthy and natural activity that most people enjoy in their own meaningful way. According to Isadora Alman from Psychology Today, people may engage in this act for a variety of reasons, such as desire, intimacy, boredom, relief, exerting power, meeting expectations, procreation, expressing love, or offering comfort, among others.
When two people make love, the level of vulnerability is remarkably high. This often stems from sharing emotions and words that may not have been expressed before, as highlighted by Your Tango. Both individuals tend to lower their defenses, bringing risk and reward into the equation. During lovemaking, a person experiences a unique closeness with their partner and finds it hard to imagine life’s moments without them.
Those who understand this distinction recognize that making love requires both parties to be their true selves—honest and raw—just as they are in their everyday lives. This applies whether the couple sticks to the simplicity of the missionary position or ventures into more adventurous explorations.
Mutual love and understanding enable partners to relax fully and make love without feeling pressure or limitations about their sexual needs and desires.
If love is not part of the equation and the interaction is purely about sexual pleasure, parting ways is usually not an issue, and one may move on without necessarily expecting commitment from the other person. However, this isn’t always the case when making love to someone with whom one has formed a deeper connection. Making love entails more risk than merely experiencing and providing sexual pleasure—it involves sharing feelings, emotions, and deep thoughts with one another during the act. As such, saying goodbye isn’t always simple, and both partners may feel a stronger sense of commitment toward one another.
Making Love
- A lifelong adventure
- A complex expression of love
- A way to communicate love nonverbally
- A means to express positive feelings and thoughts about a loved one
- Involves sharing more than just your body with your partner
Having Sex
- Primarily a physical activity
- Focuses on stimulation
- Enjoyable even without love
To better understand the difference between these two acts, as pointed out by Thought Catalog, it helps to explain the “heights of sex” versus the “depths of making love.”
The former centers on the stimulation of the nervous system and its response. This type of sex is usually a purely physical experience, measurable by how intense and powerful the stimulation feels.
In contrast, the “depths of making love” encourage both participants to use their bodies, souls, and minds to reach each other’s hearts. Moreover, making love provides a space for partners to uncover hidden issues that may surface during this uniquely intimate experience. It allows them to transcend the physical body’s boundaries and connect on a deeper level. This act shifts focus beyond the physical body and requires commitment to truly win over the partner’s mind, soul, and heart.
Source: Difference between Making Love & Having Sex – Embry Women’s Health (embrywomenshealth.com)
