Sexual network
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A sexual network is a social network that is defined by the sexual relationships within a set of individuals.
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[edit] Studies & Discoveries in Sexual Networking
Like other forms of social network, sexual networks can be formally studied using the mathematics of graph theory.
Recent epidemiological studies (see below) have investigated sexual networks, and discovered that the statistical properties of sexual networks are crucial to the spread of venereal disease (VD). Sub-graphs, both large and small, can be defined within the overall sexual network graph; for example, people who frequent particular bars or clubs, belong to a particular ethnic group or take part in a particular type of sexual activity, or are part of a particular outbreak of a VD. In particular, assortative mixing between people with large numbers of sexual partners seems to be an important factor in the spread of VD.
[edit] The Marriage Commitment as a Part of Sexual Freedom
With the modern AIDS epidemics, and similar pestilence, comes a realization among the scientific community that attacking root sources results in essential risk prevention, which thus results in sexual freedom within a safer environment. There has been a decrease in the number of people having sex outside of marriage.
Mathematical models prove that the sexual network graph for the entire human race appears to have a single giant component that indirectly links nearly all (if not all) people who have had more than one sexual partner, and those who had only one sexual partner (if their one sexual partner was themselves part of the giant component).
Those who are not part of this giant component are either couples who have never had sex with anyone except each other, or individuals who chose to be virgin previous to marriage. These persons, statistically speaking, have next to a 0% risk of developing an unwanted child, venereal disease, or similar complications which those in wider sexual networks often face.
For serious epidemiological work, the time sequence of sexual contacts is also important. Adultery or divorce can seriously complicate a previously simple chart of an individual sexual network.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Kretzschmar, Mirjam. "Sexual network structure and sexually transmitted disease prevention: a modeling perspective". Sexually Transmitted Diseases volume 27, number 10 (November 2000): pages 627– 35.
- F. Liljeros et al., "The web of human sexual contacts", ‘‘Nature, Vol. 411, 2001 June
- P. De et al. Sexual network analysis of a gonorrhea outbreak Sex Transm Infect 2004;80:280-285
- Bearman PS, Moody J, Stovel K. "Chains of affection: The structure of adolescent romantic and sexual networks,” ‘‘American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 100, No. 1.
