{{pp-pc1}} {{Short description|Sex position}} {{Other uses}} thumb|The spoons position in sex The '''spoons position''' or '''spooning''' is both a sexual position and a cuddling technique. The name derives from the way that spoons may be positioned side by side, with bowls aligned.<ref>Cox, Tracey. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=cIyu5x_7vrYC The Hot Sex Handbook]'' (Random House, Inc., 2005), p. 64.</ref>
The sexual spoons position is a form of a rear-entry position, another form being the doggy style position.<ref name="Kar">{{cite book |author=Nilamadhab Kar |author2=Gopal Chandra Kar | title = Comprehensive Textbook of Sexual Medicine | publisher = Jaypee Brothers Publishers|pages=110–111| isbn = 81-8061-405-0|year=2005| access-date = February 10, 2014 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=YxcjMPbGHQIC&pg=PA110}}</ref> It has been called one of the "basic four" sex positions.<ref>Tim F. LaHaye, Beverly LaHaye, Mike Yorkey. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=O33loW9EUbEC The Act of Marriage After 40: Making Love for Life]'' (Zondervan, 2000), pp. 92-93.</ref>
==History== thumb|3rd century figurine of a couple spooning The skeletons of the Alepotrypa cave dating back to the Neolithic era are on a spooning position.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cline |first=Diane Harris |title=The Greeks: An Illustrated History |publisher=National Geographic |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-4262-1670-1 |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=13 |chapter=Chapter One: Dawn of the Greeks}}</ref> Most Roman erotic art depicted couples in the spoons position.<ref>Younger, John Grimes. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=IEqPs2Toy7YC Sex in the Ancient World from A to Z]'' (Psychology Press, 2005), p. 124.</ref>
==Practice== In the spoons cuddling position, one partner lies on one side with knees bent while the other partner lies with their front pressed against their back. The spoons cuddling position is not limited to two people.
In the sex position, the receiving partner would be in the inner spoon position and the penetrator is in the outer spoon in preparation for rear-entry penetration. For penetration, the partners may separate their upper bodies, with just the pelvises connecting, and their legs can also rest on top of each other.<ref>Castleman, Michael. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZsgwgoKndqwC Great Sex: A Man's Guide to the Secret Principles of Total-Body Sex]'' (Rodale, 2004), p. 143.</ref> The receiving partner may lift the upper knee to allow for easier penetration.<ref name="Locker">Locker, Sari. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=cwyRGw7xSCAC The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amazing Sex]'' (Penguin, 2005), pp. 194-195.</ref>
During heterosexual sexual activity, the penetrating partner can caress the woman's stomach and stimulate her breasts, the back of the neck and ears, and clitoris. The woman can stimulate her own clitoris or her partner's scrotum.<ref name="Foley">{{cite book |last1=Foley |first1=Sallie |author-link1=Sallie Foley |last2=Kope |first2=Sally A. |last3=Sugrue |first3=Dennis P. |title=Sex Matters for Women: A complete guide to taking care of your sexual self |date=2002 |publisher=Guilford Publications |isbn=978-1-57230-641-7 |language=en}}</ref> In addition, the penis stimulates the front of the vagina, and may stimulate an area that is commonly termed ''the G-spot''.<!--NOTE: The words "commonly termed" are used because the G-spot has never been proven to definitively exist, and women vary in their reports of its existence.--><ref name="Rosenau">Rosenau, Douglas E. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=uHIsvrnnvPkC A Celebration of Sex]'' (Thomas Nelson Inc, 2002), p. 147.</ref> Along with the doggy style position, this may be the best position from which to stimulate this area.<ref>Stefan Bechtel, Larry Stains, Laurence Roy Stains. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=FWtcUwVsMkcC Sex: A Man's Guide]'' (Rodale, 1996), p. 100.</ref><ref>Keesling, Barbara. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=EG2qGvbgneoC Sexual Pleasure: Reaching New Heights of Sexual Arousal and Intimacy]'' (Hunter House, 2005), p. 101.</ref>
Variations on this position include the partners lying on their sides face-to-face or in the scissors position.<ref name="Kalish">Kalish, Nancy. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=KvmknG0zTM8C The Nice Girl's Guide to Sensational Sex]'' (iUniverse, 2003), p. 182.</ref> Anal sex is also possible in this position, along with use of a vibrator.<ref>Taormino, Tristan. ''[https://www.facebook.com/180979668987203/videos/181088912309612/ Down and Dirty Sex Secrets: The New and Naughty Guide to Being Great in Bed]'' (HarperCollins, 2003), p. 143.</ref><ref name="Heiman"/>
==Advantages and disadvantages== The spoons position allows for a great deal of physical intimacy, as there is full-body contact which allows for cuddling.<ref name="Heiman">Julia Heiman, Joseph Lopiccolo, David Palladini. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=A_p-dLUcvPYC Becoming Orgasmic: A Sexual and Personal Growth Program for Women]'' (Simon and Schuster, 1987), p. 203.</ref> Both partners have control of the angle and depth of penetration, and slow, low-intensity sex can last for a long time because it usually takes longer for the man to reach orgasm.<ref>Salinger, Eve. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=-rcSntK98D4C The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pleasing Your Man]'' (Penguin, 2005).</ref> However, there is little visual stimulation for either partner, as they are not facing one another and cannot see each other's bodies fully. The penis can also slip out easily.<ref name="Foley"/>
The spoons position may be preferred by couples who have just woken up or are very tired. It may be used if the woman is pregnant, even during the last trimester, because it does not put any pressure on the abdomen.<ref name="Kalish"/> It is also good for those recovering from illness or surgery, or the elderly, because it puts less strain on muscles.<ref name="Locker"/><ref name="Rosenau"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book|author=Jean Rogiere| title=The Little Book of Sex| publisher=Ulysses Press| year=2001| isbn=1-56975-305-9| page=96}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Spooning positions}}
{{Sex}} {{Sex positions}}
Category:Sex positions Category:Human positions