When it comes to sex, consent is key. No matter who you are or what type of sex you’re having, consent is essential for everyone involved. Unfortunately, many people don’t fully understand what consent really is, or why it’s so important to practice it. That’s why we’re here to break it down for you and help you understand the power of consent in the bedroom.

What is Consent?

So, what is consent? Put simply, consent is an agreement between all parties involved in a sexual encounter. This means that everyone involved must agree to whatever activity is taking place. It’s not enough for one partner to agree; both partners must be willing and enthusiastic participants in order for consent to be valid.

Consent must also be given freely, without any pressure or coercion. If someone is feeling pressured or coerced into sex, then they are not giving their consent freely. This can also include situations where someone feels like they cannot say no, or they feel like they have to say yes in order to please their partner.

Consent also needs to be given verbally. That means that you need to ask your partner if they are comfortable with the activity you’re engaging in, and they need to give an affirmative response. This can be as simple as saying “yes” or “I’m comfortable with that.”

It’s also important to remember that consent can be withdrawn at any time. If someone changes their mind about engaging in a sexual activity, then their partner must respect their wishes and stop immediately.

Consent can also be revoked at any time. Just because something was ok before, does not mean someone can’t say no at a different time.

What things need consent?

If you want to put this as simply as possible….everything. Does that mean every single things you do, every single time, needs to be asked about and then given verbal consent? No. Do I ask my fiancé every morning if I can kiss her? Of course not. If a routine is established, then it is safe to assume consent is given. Would I just try to shove my penis in her butthole without asking? Nope. She has never consented to this in the past, so I cannot assume it is ok.

Can I start having sex with her while she is asleep? Well…in our case….yes. We discussed it and gave each other consent to that, hence, giving pre-consent. The same would go for a couple that wants to agree on drunk sex. Since you cannot give consent when under the influence, it is fine to discuss it in advance and decide if it is ok.

You would think that common sense would prevail here, but we have seen so many times on Reddit that someone just does something the other person does not want to do.

Summary

The power of consent is something that everyone should be aware of. Practicing consent can help ensure that everyone involved in a sexual encounter is comfortable and safe. It’s also an important part of developing healthy relationships. So, the next time you’re getting intimate with someone, make sure you ask for and receive consent first.

Come join the discussion on Reddit at r/SexyFunAdvice