Coital imperative

The coital imperative is the idea or belief that penile–vaginal intercourse (PIV) is the defining practice in a sexual relationship. It's often taken for granted that intercourse is the primary, natural, and most desirable form of sexual activity, particularly within heterosexual sex. This idea makes anything else erotically charged is expected to be “preliminary foreplay” or a fun bonus rather than sex in itself.

While the coital imperative is widely held, there are growing calls to challenge it by promoting noncoital sexual practices as valid and enjoyable options, largely due to the normalization of modern sex education.