I'm not sure I can answer the poll as written, mostly because I myself am not sure of the definition of "notch" or even whether or not it differs from casual sex. What exactly is "casual sex" anyway? I've come to wonder after a while, especially when mikz has mentioned that long-term casual relatioships can and do exist.
If the concept of "notch" is the equivalent of "putting a notch in one's belt" or "sport fucking", then I'd have to say the main objective is to cross someone off one's list of "people to do" for a variety of reasons.
One reason may be having sex with someone because they are popular or rare, and esteemed or seen to have some special value just as those rare cards in a "Magick: The Gathering" deck. Another reason may be for the person putting in another notch to feel better about themself and feed their ego -- perhaps the fact that someone had sex with them or more people had sex with them makes them feel more valuable somehow.
No judgment there, just observation that the reason may be external validation and not out of lack of care for the other person as has been implied in objectification and predation -- that may or may not be present. Maybe even both partners are engaged in putting a notch in their own individual belts for similar reasons, which may include validation of worth, loneliness, friendship, recreation, lust, substance use/lowering of inhibitions, and beliefs.
But those are only some reasons...I do not think they are all, and "other" may very often apply along with those you list. I occasionally go to play parties, for example, because I am looking to learn some new technique. I'm a sex geek, and I observe such things for my education. That would fall under "other". I also go for social purposes, because other friends go to such parties and I meet them there. That would fall under friendship and recreation combined.
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Notches
Date: 2002-08-25 06:05 pm (UTC)If the concept of "notch" is the equivalent of "putting a notch in one's belt" or "sport fucking", then I'd have to say the main objective is to cross someone off one's list of "people to do" for a variety of reasons.
One reason may be having sex with someone because they are popular or rare, and esteemed or seen to have some special value just as those rare cards in a "Magick: The Gathering" deck. Another reason may be for the person putting in another notch to feel better about themself and feed their ego -- perhaps the fact that someone had sex with them or more people had sex with them makes them feel more valuable somehow.
No judgment there, just observation that the reason may be external validation and not out of lack of care for the other person as has been implied in objectification and predation -- that may or may not be present. Maybe even both partners are engaged in putting a notch in their own individual belts for similar reasons, which may include validation of worth, loneliness, friendship, recreation, lust, substance use/lowering of inhibitions, and beliefs.
But those are only some reasons...I do not think they are all, and "other" may very often apply along with those you list. I occasionally go to play parties, for example, because I am looking to learn some new technique. I'm a sex geek, and I observe such things for my education. That would fall under "other". I also go for social purposes, because other friends go to such parties and I meet them there. That would fall under friendship and recreation combined.