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Making out

Making out is a form of physical intimacy involving prolonged and passionate kissing between romantic or sexual partners, typically featuring open-mouth contact, tongue exploration, and often light caressing of the neck, face, or body as a precursor to deeper arousal without necessarily advancing to intercourse.^[1]^[2] This behavior, rooted in romantic kissing practices observed across many but not all human societies, physiologically stimulates the release of oxytocin to enhance bonding and dopamine to induce pleasure and reward sensations in the brain.^[3]^[4] Empirically, such kissing facilitates mate assessment by conveying chemical signals through saliva that signal genetic compatibility, health, and fertility, with women placing greater emphasis on it for evaluating long-term partners compared to men.^[5]^[4] Though prevalent in Western cultures where it emerged as slang in the mid-20th century for extended petting, romantic mouth-to-mouth kissing—including its intensified form of making out—occurs in only about 46% of sampled global societies, indicating it is culturally variable rather than innate or universal.^[6]^[2] Research links frequent kissing to higher relationship satisfaction and reduced stress via lowered cortisol levels, yet it carries risks of pathogen transmission, such as herpes simplex virus, underscoring the trade-offs in its causal role for intimacy.^[4]^[3] Evolutionarily, it likely derives from primate grooming or feeding behaviors adapted for human pair-bonding, with sensory-rich lips amplifying euphoric responses that reinforce attachment.^[5] In contemporary contexts, making out sustains sexual tension in ongoing relationships, though its absence or poor execution can signal incompatibility and terminate pursuits.^[5]^[4]

Definition and Terminology

Core Definition

Making out is an informal term, primarily originating in American English, denoting a form of physical intimacy involving prolonged, passionate kissing between romantic or sexual partners, typically including open-mouthed kissing with tongue involvement (commonly known as French kissing) and close bodily contact such as embracing or caressing.^[7] ^[8] This activity often extends beyond brief pecks, lasting several minutes or longer, and may incorporate light petting—such as stroking the neck, back, or other non-genital erogenous zones—but generally excludes penetrative sex or direct genital stimulation.^[7] ^[9] The practice serves as an expression of romantic affection or sexual arousal, distinguished from simple kissing by its intensity, duration, and erotic intent, though boundaries can vary by individual or cultural context without implying progression to intercourse.^[1] ^[10] First attested in print around 1949, the term reflects mid-20th-century slang evolution from broader phrases for amorous encounters.

Etymology and Evolution of the Term

The slang term "making out," denoting prolonged passionate kissing often accompanied by caressing or petting, emerged in American English during the mid-20th century. Early documented usage appears in the 1940s, with an example from a 1946 publication referring to amorous interactions in a suggestive context.^[11] By 1949, the term was established in its modern sense, distinct from mere kissing by implying extended intimacy.^[12] This usage likely evolved from the broader idiomatic expression "make out," attested since around 1600 to mean succeeding, managing, or extracting something successfully, as in romantic or sexual pursuits where one "succeeds" in advances. Prior to "making out," similar behaviors were described by terms like "necking," which referred to kissing and fondling the neck since at least the 1920s and gained popularity in the 1930s amid rising youth courtship norms involving automobiles and secluded spots.^[13] "Petting" also denoted non-intercourse physical affection in the same era, reflecting a shift toward euphemistic slang for premarital intimacy without explicit genital contact.^[14] The term proliferated in the 1950s alongside post-World War II cultural changes, including drive-in theaters and "lovers' lanes," where teen dating emphasized sensory exploration under the guise of innocent recreation.^[12] Its adoption marked a euphemistic progression from Victorian restraint, aligning with Freudian influences on viewing kissing as instinctual foreplay, though it remained distinct from full sexual intercourse in baseball-derived "bases" metaphors prevalent in American slang.^[15] Over decades, "making out" standardized globally via U.S. media export, though regional variants like British "snogging" persisted for lighter kissing.^[2]

Historical Context

Pre-Modern Kissing Practices

The earliest documented evidence of lip-to-lip kissing emerges from ancient Mesopotamian texts dating to approximately 2500 BCE, where it appears in mythological narratives involving divine figures and in legal or administrative records alluding to intimate acts between humans.^[16]^[17] In these Sumerian and Akkadian sources, kissing served erotic, familial, and social functions, often linked to sexual consummation within marriage, though it was also exchanged among kin or peers as a gesture of affection or reconciliation.^[18]^[19] Romantic kissing among unmarried individuals drew social disapproval, reflecting norms that restricted public or premarital displays to prevent impropriety.^[20] By around 1500 BCE, Vedic Sanskrit texts from ancient India describe kissing-like behaviors, such as pressing mouths together or inhaling a partner's scent through the nose and mouth, often in ritualistic or affectionate contexts that blurred into eroticism.^[21]^[22] Later Indian sources, including the Kama Sutra (composed between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE), enumerate specific kissing techniques—such as the "nominal kiss," "thumping kiss," and "contacting kiss"—emphasizing prolonged mouth-to-mouth contact, tongue involvement, and variations for arousal during foreplay.^[21] These practices positioned kissing as a deliberate sensual act, integrated into broader courtship and sexual education, distinct from mere greeting.^[23] In ancient Greece and Rome, kissing evolved into categorized forms with erotic undertones. Greeks referenced it in Homeric epics (circa 8th century BCE) as a familial or hospitable gesture, but erotic poetry by Sappho and others alluded to passionate lip-locking.^[21] Romans formalized three types: the osculum (a chaste peck on the cheek or hand for social equals or inferiors), the basium (a tender, closed-mouth lovers' kiss), and the savium (a deep, sensual kiss implying tongue penetration and sexual intent).^[24]^[25] Public kissing marked status—citizens kissed emperors' hands or cheeks, while private savium featured in Ovid's Ars Amatoria (1 BCE) as a prelude to intercourse, warning of its addictive pull.^[26] Such distinctions highlight kissing's dual role in Roman life: ritualistic for hierarchy and intimate for desire.^[27] Medieval European practices retained Roman influences but infused kissing with feudal and Christian symbolism, where the "kiss of peace" (osculum pacis) sealed oaths, treaties, or liturgical rites, often on the mouth among clergy or nobles until the 13th century when concerns over sensuality prompted shifts to cheeks or hands.^[28] In courtly love traditions (12th-14th centuries), troubadour poetry idealized stolen kisses as emblematic of chaste yet fervent passion, though consummated kisses in adulterous or marital beds mirrored ancient eroticism, as depicted in The Decameron (1353) with descriptions of lingering, breath-exchanging embraces.^[28] Knightly bonds involved mouth kisses as pledges of loyalty, underscoring homosocial affection without modern connotations of homosexuality.^[29] By the late medieval period, ecclesiastical reforms curtailed mouth-kissing in public or mixed-gender settings to curb lasciviousness, confining deeper forms to private spheres.^[30]

Emergence in the 20th Century

The practice of prolonged, intimate kissing accompanied by petting—later codified as "making out"—gained prominence in American youth culture during the 1920s, marking a departure from the chaperoned courtship norms of the Victorian era.^[31] This shift coincided with the rise of "dating" as a peer-driven ritual, where young people, often in groups, pursued romantic and physical exploration independently of family supervision.^[32] Automobiles, increasingly accessible after World War I, enabled privacy in "lovers' lanes" or rural drives, allowing couples to engage in extended sessions of kissing and manual stimulation without immediate adult interference.^[31]^[32] "PETTING," a contemporaneous term for deliberate touching of erogenous zones above or below the waist—including heavy kissing but typically stopping short of intercourse—became a focal point of national media scrutiny.^[33] So-called "petting parties," often held at dances or in automobiles, were decried by moralists as emblematic of Jazz Age excess, yet surveys and reports indicated widespread participation among urban teens, with estimates suggesting up to 50-75% of college students admitting to such activities by the late 1920s.^[32]^[34] These gatherings reflected causal factors like economic prosperity, women's suffrage expanding social freedoms, and a post-war rejection of pre-1914 sexual restraint, though they remained bounded by norms against premarital sex.^[32] The slang "making out" for these behaviors crystallized in the 1930s-1940s, evolving from the phrasal verb's earlier senses of "succeeding" or "discernment" (attested since the 1600s) to denote amorous necking or foreplay by 1939, with slang usage for kissing and petting documented by 1949.^[35] This terminological emergence paralleled the Great Depression's tempering of 1920s exuberance and World War II's further mobilization of youth, where servicemen's letters and homefront dating amplified such practices.^[35] By the 1950s, "making out" had normalized in popular culture via drive-in theaters and media, solidifying its role in adolescent courtship rituals.^[31]

Biological and Evolutionary Foundations

Physiological Mechanisms

Making out, characterized by prolonged and often intense lip-to-lip contact including tongue involvement, stimulates densely innervated regions of the lips and oral cavity, activating mechanoreceptors and free nerve endings that transmit tactile signals primarily through the trigeminal (V), facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X), and hypoglossal (XII) cranial nerves.^[36]^[5] These afferent signals converge in brainstem nuclei and ascend via the thalamus to cortical areas such as the somatosensory cortex, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex, where they integrate sensory pleasure with emotional processing.^[5] The intensity of making out amplifies this input, engaging up to 34 facial muscles and producing synchronized brain activity patterns observable via EEG, indicative of hyper-brain coupling between partners.^[37] This neural activation triggers the brain's reward circuitry in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens, prompting dopamine release that reinforces the behavior through feelings of euphoria and motivation, akin to responses in other rewarding stimuli.^[5]^[38] Concurrently, oxytocin surges from the hypothalamus, facilitating bonding and reducing stress via hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis modulation, while serotonin modulates mood stabilization.^[3]^[4] Vasopressin may also contribute, particularly in males, supporting pair-bonding akin to its role in monogamous rodents. Autonomically, making out elicits sympathetic nervous system dominance, elevating heart rate by 10-20 beats per minute, increasing blood pressure through vasoconstriction followed by dilation, and causing pupil dilation and facial flushing due to adrenaline and noradrenaline release.^[39]^[40] Salivary flow rises, exchanging enzymes and potential pheromones or MHC-related cues via minor histocompatibility antigens, though the latter's causal role in partner assessment remains debated in human studies.^[4] These responses prepare the body for further intimacy by heightening arousal without necessarily culminating in orgasmic peaks.^[4]

Evolutionary Hypotheses

Evolutionary hypotheses propose that romantic kissing, including prolonged intimate forms akin to making out, serves adaptive functions in mate selection and pair-bonding. Research indicates that kissing facilitates assessment of potential partners' genetic compatibility and health status through saliva exchange, allowing detection of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) variations that influence immune response complementarity.^[4] In a study of 308 participants, kissing was rated as particularly important for evaluating long-term partners, with poor first kisses often leading to rejection, suggesting an evolved mechanism to avoid suboptimal matings.^[4] This aligns with findings that kissing triggers sensory evaluation of traits like oral health and genetic fitness, potentially reducing risks of incompatible offspring.^[5] Kissing also mediates attachment and reinforces emotional bonds, promoting relationship stability crucial for biparental care in humans. The act stimulates release of neurochemicals such as oxytocin and vasopressin, which foster pair-bonding, with surveys showing frequent kissing correlates with higher relationship satisfaction and longevity.^[4] For instance, couples who kiss more passionately report stronger attachment, hypothesizing that this behavior evolved to sustain monogamous-like pairings amid high paternal investment needs.^[4] However, these functions are not universal; romantic kissing occurs in approximately 90% of surveyed cultures but is absent in others, indicating possible cultural elaboration of an underlying biological predisposition rather than a strict human universal.^[41] Regarding origins, one hypothesis posits that human lip-to-lip kissing derives from primate grooming behaviors, specifically a "groomer's final kiss" where ancestral apes used mouth contact to remove residual debris after manual grooming.^[42] This 2024 proposal, based on observations of great apes like chimpanzees, suggests kissing persisted as a social bonding gesture after humans lost dense body hair, reducing grooming needs but retaining affiliative mouth-to-mouth contact.^[43] Alternative origins include premastication food transfer from parents to offspring or olfactory mate sniffing, but empirical support favors grooming-derived functions for the intimate, saliva-involving form seen in making out.^[44] These hypotheses remain speculative, as direct fossil or genetic evidence is lacking, and cross-species comparisons highlight kissing's rarity beyond primates.^[45]

Techniques and Variations

Fundamental Techniques

Making out, as a form of intimate kissing, fundamentally involves sustained lip-to-lip contact that progresses to include tongue exploration, often accompanied by light caressing of the face, neck, or body to enhance sensory engagement.^[1] The core technique emphasizes mutual responsiveness, starting with closed-mouth kisses to gauge comfort before introducing open-mouth elements, ensuring both partners synchronize their movements to avoid discomfort.^[46] Preparation is essential: partners should ensure fresh breath through hygiene practices like brushing teeth or using mints, and maintain soft, moisturized lips to prevent chapping, as dry lips can hinder smooth contact.^[47] Key steps include tilting the head slightly—typically to the right, as observed in approximately two-thirds of kisses due to innate directional bias—to facilitate alignment and prevent nose collision.^[48] Initial contact applies gentle pressure with relaxed lips, progressing slowly to parting them and extending the tip of the tongue to trace the partner's lips or inner mouth, mimicking a gentle exploration rather than forceful thrusting, which research indicates women often prefer less aggressive styles while men favor more open-mouthed approaches.^[49] Rhythm variation is crucial: alternate between soft sucking of the lower lip, light nibbling, and swirling tongue motions to sustain interest, while monitoring saliva levels to keep the exchange dry enough to avoid messiness, as excessive wetness detracts from pleasure.^[50] Hand involvement complements oral techniques by cradling the partner's face or threading fingers through hair to signal affection and stability, but should remain light to focus on the kiss itself rather than escalating prematurely.^[51] Duration typically lasts several minutes, with pauses for breath or eye contact to build tension, fostering emotional connection through oxytocin release triggered by prolonged contact.^[52] Consent and feedback remain ongoing; verbal or non-verbal cues guide adjustments, as mismatched enthusiasm can undermine the experience.^[46] These elements, drawn from physiological and behavioral observations, prioritize reciprocity over performance to align with natural bonding mechanisms.^[49]

Cultural and Personal Variations

Romantic mouth-to-mouth kissing, a core element of making out, is absent in 54% of 168 sampled cultures worldwide, indicating it is not a human universal but a culturally variable practice often linked to societal complexity.^[53] ^[6] In hunter-gatherer and small-scale societies, such as certain Indigenous groups in the Americas and parts of Africa, intimate kissing is rare or nonexistent, with affection expressed through alternative physical contacts like nose-rubbing or hand-holding; its prevalence increases in larger, stratified societies, potentially correlating with urbanization and economic development.^[41] Cultures practicing romantic kissing show regional patterns, with higher incidence in the Middle East (up to 90% in some samples) compared to Central and South America (around 20%), where it may be viewed as unhygienic or unnecessary for bonding.^[41] Personal variations in making out encompass differences in initiation, technique, and motivation, influenced by gender and relational context. Men initiate kissing more frequently than women, with observational data from public settings showing a male bias in starting intimate contact.^[48] Both genders exhibit a rightward head-turning bias during kisses (approximately 65-80% of cases), though this directional preference persists regardless of initiator role, suggesting a possible innate or early-learned asymmetry rather than strict cultural imposition.^[48] Motives for engaging in prolonged kissing differ by gender, with women more often citing relational assessment and emotional compatibility as drivers, while men emphasize sexual arousal; these patterns hold across age groups but intensify in short-term pairings versus long-term ones.^[54] Individual attachment styles further modulate participation, as securely attached persons report higher kissing frequency for bonding, whereas avoidant individuals engage less, independent of cultural norms.^[55]

Cross-Cultural Prevalence and Attitudes

Anthropological analysis of 168 societies drawn from the eHRAF World Cultures database reveals that romantic-sexual kissing, encompassing mouth-to-mouth contact often involving tongue engagement similar to making out, occurs in 77 cultures (46%) but shows no evidence in 91 others (54%).^[56] This distribution indicates it is not a human universal, with absence more frequent among small-scale, egalitarian hunter-gatherer groups where alternative affection displays like body sniffing or nose rubbing predominate.^[6] Prevalence varies regionally: 73% of sampled Asian cultures, 70% of European ones, and a majority in the Middle East incorporate romantic kissing, contrasted with lower rates in Central and South America (around 20-30%) and sub-Saharan Africa.^[53] A subsequent cross-national survey of 964 participants across 21 countries found kissing frequency positively correlated with national income inequality and gross domestic product per capita, suggesting socioeconomic complexity fosters its adoption, potentially as a mate assessment mechanism in resource-disparate environments.^[57] In societies lacking romantic kissing, attitudes toward it range from neutral disinterest to active disgust upon exposure; for instance, among the Mehinaku of the Amazon, saliva exchange is culturally taboo and perceived as unhygienic or contaminating.^[6] Conversely, in practicing cultures, passionate kissing signals intimacy and commitment, though public displays elicit varied responses—tolerated or encouraged in expressive Mediterranean or Latin American contexts but restrained in more conservative East Asian or Middle Eastern settings to align with modesty norms. These attitudes reflect adaptive priorities, with kissing absent where disease transmission risks or alternative bonding cues suffice.^[41]

Role in Western Dating and Relationships

In Western dating practices, making out—characterized by prolonged, open-mouthed kissing with tongue involvement—often functions as an early indicator of romantic compatibility and escalation from casual interaction to physical intimacy, typically occurring after 1-3 dates for many individuals in heterosexual contexts.^[4] This stage allows partners to evaluate sensory and emotional alignment, with research indicating that a poor first kiss can diminish attraction, particularly for women who report placing higher emphasis on kissing as a predictor of long-term partner suitability compared to men.^[58]^[59] Empirical studies from surveys of over 1,000 participants in committed relationships show that positive kissing experiences during courtship correlate with sustained relational investment, as it activates neurochemical responses like oxytocin release that foster attachment.^[60]^[61] Within established Western relationships, making out sustains emotional bonds and sexual satisfaction, with data from a 2020 analysis of 1,605 couples in long-term partnerships revealing that higher kissing frequency (averaging 3-5 sessions weekly in satisfied pairs) is associated with elevated sexual quality and overall relationship contentment, independent of intercourse frequency.^[62] Couples aged 18-29 report kissing passionately more often—up to 30 times per week in 5% of cases—than older groups, where routines may reduce it to daily pecks, though intentional revival of making out correlates with renewed intimacy.^[63]^[64] Gender differences persist, with women viewing it more as a bonding mechanism and men as arousal initiation, influencing negotiation in monogamous dynamics prevalent in Western norms.^[4] This role underscores making out's utility in balancing autonomy and commitment, though declining frequency in long-term pairs (noted in 80% of couples skipping bedtime kisses) signals potential relational drift without intervention.^[65]

Health and Risk Factors

Potential Benefits

Making out, defined as prolonged and intense kissing often involving tongue contact and close physical proximity, has been associated with several physiological benefits supported by empirical research on kissing behaviors. Kissing stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to reduced stress and anxiety levels; a 2013 study published in the journal Hormones and Behavior found that romantic kissing elevates plasma oxytocin concentrations in both men and women, correlating with feelings of attachment and decreased cortisol, the primary stress hormone. This effect may contribute to short-term relaxation, as participants in kissing experiments reported lower subjective stress post-activity. From an immunological perspective, the exchange of saliva during making out exposes individuals to a diverse array of microbes, potentially strengthening immune responses. A 2014 Dutch study in the journal Microbiome analyzed microbial transfer between kissing partners and concluded that a 10-second intimate kiss can transmit up to 80 million bacteria, which, over repeated exposures, may enhance mucosal immunity in the oral cavity without increasing infection risk in healthy adults. Additionally, kissing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting cardiovascular relaxation; research from the American Heart Association indicates that frequent kissing correlates with lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol levels, potentially due to vagus nerve stimulation, with couples who kiss regularly showing 0.5 to 1.0 mmHg reductions in systolic pressure compared to non-kissing counterparts. Caloric expenditure represents another quantifiable benefit, as making out involves moderate physical activity. Estimates from exercise physiologists suggest that a 10-minute session burns approximately 20-30 calories for an average adult, akin to light aerobic effort, based on metabolic equivalents (METs) data from the Compendium of Physical Activities, which rates passionate kissing at 2.0-2.5 METs. Psychologically, making out fosters emotional bonding through dopamine release, which reinforces pair-bonding behaviors; neuroimaging studies using fMRI have shown activation in reward centers of the brain during kissing, similar to responses from pleasurable stimuli like eating chocolate, aiding in relationship maintenance. These effects are most pronounced in consensual, mutual contexts, though benefits diminish if perceived as obligatory.

Associated Health Risks

Making out, involving prolonged mouth-to-mouth contact and saliva exchange, primarily poses risks of transmitting infectious agents present in oral secretions or on mucous membranes. The volume of saliva transferred—averaging up to 5 mL per session—facilitates pathogen dissemination, though transmission likelihood depends on factors like active infection, open sores, and viral load.^[66] Empirical data from clinical studies indicate that while most encounters do not result in illness, certain viruses and bacteria can spread efficiently, particularly among adolescents and young adults where behaviors like deep kissing are common.^[67] Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), responsible for oral herpes or cold sores, transmits readily through kissing when viral shedding occurs, even asymptomatically. Approximately 50-80% of adults carry HSV-1, with transmission rates increasing during outbreaks involving lip or intraoral lesions; non-sexual contact like kissing accounts for most childhood acquisitions, while adult cases often stem from intimate exchanges.^[68]^[69] Symptoms include painful vesicles and ulcers, with recurrent episodes triggered by stress or immunosuppression; antiviral treatments like acyclovir mitigate severity but do not prevent spread.^[70] Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), causing infectious mononucleosis ("mono" or "kissing disease"), spreads via saliva during acute infection, with peak contagiousness in the 4-6 weeks following symptom onset. Affecting up to 90% of adults worldwide serologically, mono manifests as fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, and fatigue lasting 2-4 weeks, though splenomegaly risks rupture in 0.1-0.5% of cases, necessitating avoidance of contact sports. Diagnosis relies on heterophile antibody tests or EBV serology, with no specific antiviral cure.^[71]^[72]^[73] Bacterial sexually transmitted infections, including oropharyngeal gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), can transmit through tongue kissing, especially with pharyngeal colonization; systematic reviews of cohort studies link intimate kissing to elevated odds ratios (up to 3.0) for gonococcal infection after controlling for other sexual behaviors. Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) transmission via kissing requires oral chancre presence, invading abraded mucosa, with case reports documenting lip lesions as vectors.^[74]^[75]^[76] Both require antibiotic treatment—ceftriaxone for gonorrhea, penicillin for syphilis—and underscore extragenital screening in STI evaluations. Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly high-risk strains linked to oropharyngeal cancers, shows inconclusive but suggestive evidence of deep kissing transmission; some studies report associations with multiple kissing partners independent of oral sex, yet definitive causation remains unestablished due to confounding variables like overall sexual activity. Prevalence of oral HPV is 7-10% in U.S. adults, with oncogenic risks materializing over decades in smokers or immunocompromised individuals.^[77]^[78] Vaccination against HPV (e.g., Gardasil) targets prevention, though it postdates many exposures. Less common risks include cytomegalovirus or meningococcal carriage via saliva, but these lack robust kissing-specific data.^[67] Overall, risks amplify with poor oral hygiene, immunosuppression, or concurrent infections, though population-level incidence from kissing alone remains low compared to other vectors.^[79]

Psychological and Relational Impacts

Bonding and Attraction Dynamics

Passionate kissing stimulates the release of oxytocin, a neuropeptide associated with social bonding, which promotes feelings of attachment and reduces stress in romantic partners.^[80] This effect arises from physical proximity and tactile stimulation during prolonged lip-to-lip contact, mirroring mechanisms observed in mammalian pair-bonding models where oxytocin strengthens neural circuits for partner preference.^[81] Concurrently, dopamine surges in reward pathways, such as the nucleus accumbens, generate euphoria and craving, intensifying mutual attraction and encouraging repeated interactions that solidify emotional ties.^[82] Serotonin modulation further contributes by stabilizing mood and fostering a sense of contentment, though these neurochemical responses vary by individual factors like baseline hormone levels and relationship context.^[36] Evolutionarily, making out serves as a sensory vetting mechanism, enabling partners to evaluate compatibility through pheromonal cues and gustatory signals, such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) markers detectable via saliva exchange.^[5] This process likely evolved in humans to filter mates for genetic fitness, as evidenced by studies showing that kissing influences perceived attractiveness and mate retention, with poor kisses often leading to diminished interest.^[83] In long-term dynamics, habitual passionate kissing reinforces pair bonds by signaling commitment and exclusivity, correlating with higher relationship satisfaction and longevity in observational data from heterosexual couples.^[4] However, empirical tests reveal limited direct causation for arousal elevation as the primary function, emphasizing instead its role in modulating attraction thresholds over time.^[4] While oxytocinergic effects underpin bonding, recent vole studies challenge its absolute necessity, indicating redundant pathways may sustain attachments absent full receptor function, suggesting human dynamics involve multifaceted neural interactions beyond singular hormones.^[84] Nonetheless, human neuroimaging confirms oxytocin-rich regions activate during intimate kissing, linking it causally to enhanced empathy and partner-specific fidelity cues that deter infidelity.^[81] These dynamics underscore making out's adaptive value in attraction hierarchies, where proficient execution escalates from initial lust to enduring affiliation, though cultural prevalence modulates its expression.^[58]

Criticisms and Societal Debates

In religious contexts, particularly Christianity, making out—defined as prolonged, passionate kissing often involving tongue contact—is frequently criticized as a precursor to sexual immorality. Biblical passages such as Matthew 5:28, which condemn lustful thoughts as equivalent to adultery, underpin arguments that such intimacy arouses erotic desires incompatible with premarital chastity.^[85] Conservative Catholic teachings classify passionate kissing among unmarried persons as a mortal sin, equating its sensual nature to foreplay that undermines marital exclusivity.^[86] These views emphasize personal boundaries varying by individual temptation levels, with some denominations permitting brief kisses but prohibiting extended sessions to avoid fornication.^[87] Secular critiques, often from feminist perspectives on hookup culture, portray casual making out as reinforcing superficial physical encounters that prioritize male gratification over mutual emotional fulfillment. Scholarly analyses argue this dynamic fosters coercion through social conformity, leaving participants—disproportionately women—with regret and diminished relational depth, as evidenced by surveys of college students reporting post-encounter emptiness.^[88] Such practices are seen as perpetuating gender imbalances, where women face greater scrutiny for initiating or engaging, despite cultural normalization in media.^[89] Consent debates highlight ambiguities in casual settings, where non-verbal cues may misalign with explicit agreement, amplified post-2017 #MeToo movement. Advocates stress ongoing, affirmative communication—even for kissing—to prevent violations, noting that intoxication or peer pressure invalidates implied consent.^[90] Critics of lax norms argue this reflects broader societal failures in educating youth on boundaries, potentially enabling harassment under guise of spontaneity.^[91] These discussions underscore causal links between unclear signals and relational harm, prioritizing verifiable enthusiasm over assumptions.

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### Summary of Slang/Informal Definition Related to Kissing or Sexual Activity
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Mar 19, 2008 · It was probably ordinarily a mouth-to-mouth kiss, but other kinds are mentioned, for example kissing on the eyes, the neck, the face, the hair, ...The mechanics of kissing · Behaviour associated with... · Occasions for kissing
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The History of Kissing (In Europe) - Dewi Hargreaves
Aug 22, 2020 · Kissing played a central part in Roman culture. They even had different words for different types of kiss: osculum, savium, and basium.
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Kissing in the Middle Ages - Medievalists.net
Feb 13, 2022 · The kiss could represent honor, loyalty, legality, veneration, adoration, passion, treachery, and opportunities for misbehavior.
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True knights kiss their friends - Culturico
Aug 17, 2021 · Medieval knightly love was affectionate – effusively so – and was seen as a central part of warrior masculinity. We see this kind of behavior ...
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The Medieval Kiss - jstor
medieval period that contributed to the gradual aban- donment of the kiss on the mouth. But the feudal kiss, both as a marker of class solidarity and as a ...Missing: Europe | Show results with:Europe
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High School History: How Teenagers Invented the Way We Date
May 18, 2016 · In the 1920s, national media reported on the sexual escapades of teens. Before hooking up, there was “petting,” and everyone was doing it.
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When 'Petting Parties' Scandalized The Nation : NPR History Dept.
May 26, 2015 · To some social observers, petting parties of the 1920s were a natural, post-First World War outgrowth of a repressed society.
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Dating Rituals of the 1950s - What is "Petting"? - Woman's Day
May 18, 2016 · "Petting" joined the national lexicon in the 1920s, later defined by sexologist Alfred Kinsey as "deliberately touching body parts above or below the waist."
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(PDF) On the social legacy of the 1920s dating system in the USA
Sep 4, 2015 · On the social legacy of the 1920s dating system in the USA · 1. The first one is the genesis of necking and petting in combination with the fact ...
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Making Out | Encyclopedia.com
Making out is a slang term for extended bouts of amorous kissing, which may include other forms of petting and sexual foreplay. The term exists as both a verb, ...
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Prelude To A Kiss: The Science of Kissing - Brain World Magazine
Jul 6, 2021 · Kissing serves a purpose of creating a more intimate bond with another person. It's correlated with feelings of attachment and comfort.
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Hyper-Brain Networks Support Romantic Kissing in Humans - PMC
Nov 6, 2014 · We conclude that hyper-brain networks based on CFC may capture neural mechanisms that support interpersonally coordinated voluntary action and bonding behavior.
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What's in a kiss? The science of smooching - British Council
Mar 11, 2015 · During a kiss, this lip sensitivity causes our brain to create a chemical cocktail that can give us a natural high.
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The science of kissing | CNN
Feb 14, 2012 · A kiss can cause our blood vessels to dilate, our pulse to quicken and cheeks to flush. Our pupils grow wide, which is likely one reason that so ...<|separator|>
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What Happens To Your Body When You Kiss Someone For The First ...
Jun 12, 2017 · A first kiss triggers your sympathetic nervous system, aka that fight-or-flight response, your pupils will dilate, too.Missing: autonomic | Show results with:autonomic
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Romantic or disgusting? Passionate kissing is not a human universal
Jul 17, 2015 · From pop culture to evolutionary psychology, we have come to take kissing for granted as universally desirable among humans and inseparable ...
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The evolutionary origin of human kissing - PubMed
Oct 17, 2024 · Kissing likely evolved from a final mouth-contact stage of grooming in ancestral apes, where the groomer sucked to latch on debris or parasites.
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Where did kissing come from? Study introduces the 'groomer's final ...
Oct 26, 2024 · A team at the University of Warwick is suggesting that human kissing evolved from grooming behaviors observed in ancestral great apes.
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Did the human kiss begin as an ape grooming ritual? | Science | AAAS
Oct 28, 2024 · Some researchers have suggested kissing evolved from behaviors such as sniffing, nursing babies, or even parents passing chewed-up food to their offspring.
[45]
The evolution of human lip-to-lip kissing - ScienceDirect
Kissing as an evolutionary adaptation to protect against human cytomegalovirus-like teratogenesis. Medical Hypotheses ... Evolution and Human Behavior ...
[46]
How to Kiss: 26 Tips for First Timers and Seasoned Pros - Healthline
Ask for consent, prepare lips, start with gentle pressure, and ease into it. Start with the tip of the tongue, and don't force it.
[47]
How to French Kiss: 6 French Kissing Techniques - MasterClass
Jun 7, 2021 · 1. Make sure your breath is fresh. Bad breath can serve as a distraction when French kissing. · 2. Take care of your lips. French kissing feels ...
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The right way to kiss: directionality bias in head-turning during kissing
Jul 14, 2017 · We report a significant male bias in the initiation of kissing and a significant bias in head-turning to the right in both kiss initiators and kiss recipients.
[49]
Scientific ways to be a better kisser - Business Insider
Jun 12, 2017 · Tilt your head right, avoid kissing when stressed, women care about breath, men prefer open mouth, and women prefer less aggressive kisses.Missing: guide | Show results with:guide
[50]
How To Be A Good Kisser - 10 Tips From Scientific Research
Women should open their mouth more, initiate more, and be more aggressive. Men should avoid jamming their tongue, match tempo, and maintain good hygiene.
[51]
How to Be a Good Kisser: 9 Tips for Better Makeouts | SELF
Apr 26, 2024 · A related tip from Amy: Trace a part of their earlobe or collarbone with your finger before gently kissing the same spot. She says these non- ...
[52]
14 Key Lessons From Research on Kissing | Psychology Today
Sep 29, 2023 · Kissing stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. It can improve your mood and leave you ...
[53]
Researchers find romantic kissing is not the norm in most cultures
Aug 5, 2015 · Current research has found that not only is romantic kissing not the norm in most cultures, some find it uncomfortable and even flat-out repulsive.
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Is a Kiss Just a Kiss?: Predicting Variations in Motives for Romantic ...
Feb 6, 2017 · The current study explored motives for romantic kissing in greater detail by examining whether gender, age, relationship status, sexual attitudes, and ...Missing: preferences | Show results with:preferences
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Attached at the Lips: The Influence of Romantic Kissing Motives and ...
The current study assessed the relationship between romantic attachment, romantic kissing motives, and relationship satisfaction.
[56]
Is the Romantic–Sexual Kiss a Near Human Universal? - Jankowiak
Jul 6, 2015 · Within this sample, we found that 77 cultures (46%) had evidence of the romantic–sexual kiss, and 91 cultures (54%) did not. See Table 1 for a ...<|separator|>
[57]
National income inequality predicts cultural variation in mouth to ...
Apr 30, 2019 · Our data reveal that kissing is valued more in established relationships than it is valued during courtship.Missing: practices | Show results with:practices
[58]
New Psychology of Kissing Reveals Its True Purpose
Aug 19, 2015 · Women placed greater importance on kissing in romantic relationships, and stated that an initial kiss was more likely to affect their attraction ...
[59]
Kissing helps us find the right partner – and keep them
Oct 11, 2013 · A study by Oxford University researchers suggests kissing helps us size up potential partners and, once in a relationship, may be a way of getting a partner to ...
[60]
Can a kiss conquer all? The predictive utility of idealized first ... - NIH
Specifically, one study conducted by Wlodarski and Dunbar (2013) found that participants overall reported that a first romantic kiss has altered their feelings ...
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the role of kissing in romantic relationships" by Kristina N. Spaulding
Jan 1, 2016 · This study aimed to examine the role of kissing in (a) mate assessment, (b) initiating arousal and (c) maintenance of an emotional bond.<|control11|><|separator|>
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A kiss is not just a kiss: kissing frequency, sexual quality, attachment ...
Jan 31, 2020 · Using data from 1,605 participants in committed relationships for at least two years, we analyzed how kissing frequency was associated with ...
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How Often Married Couples Kiss, According To Research - Yahoo
Jun 21, 2023 · Five percent of those aged 45 and up squeeze in more than 30 kisses per week, which averages out to just over four per day. So, not counting a ...
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How Often Should Couples Kiss Each Other? - Psychology Today
Sep 23, 2021 · Kissing is a common practice in many sexual and romantic relationships, yet little research has explored how kissing affects relationships.Key Points · The Study · The Findings
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How our kissing habits change in a long-term relationship - Stylist
Surveys have revealed that not only do eight out of 10 couples not kiss each other before going to bed, but a fifth of married couples go for a full week ...
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Infection Transmission by Saliva and the Paradoxical Protective ...
Couples may exchange an average of 5 mL of saliva during active kissing, making this an activity that could favor the transmission of infectious diseases.
[67]
Viral Diseases Transmissible by Kissing - PMC - PubMed Central
There is a number of hepatotropic viruses, Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, and others (e.g., EBV) which can cause hepatitis and may be present in saliva as well ...
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Can You Get Herpes from Kissing? And 14 Other Things to Know
Nov 25, 2019 · Yes, you can contract oral herpes (HSV-1), aka cold sores, from kissing, but developing genital herpes (HSV-2) this way is less likely.How it happens · Type of kiss · How to reduce your risk · Typical transmission
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https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/herpes/herpes-from-kissing
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Oral Herpes: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic
But while you can get oral herpes from sexual contact, it most often spreads through non-sexual contact (like when an adult with a cold sore kisses a child).
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Mononucleosis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the kissing disease. The virus that causes mono (Epstein-Barr virus) is spread through saliva.
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About Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono) | EBV and Mono - CDC
May 9, 2024 · Infectious mononucleosis is a contagious disease most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Other viruses can also cause this disease.
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Mononucleosis (Mono or the Kissing Disease) - Cleveland Clinic
Mono is sometimes called “the kissing disease” because it spreads easily through bodily fluids like saliva. For most people, mono isn't serious, and it goes ...
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A Systematic Review of Kissing as a Risk Factor for Oropharyngeal ...
This systematic review summarized the existing evidence that suggests that tongue kissing may be a risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhea but not chlamydia.
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Kissing, saliva exchange, and transmission of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Jul 16, 2019 · Data from mathematical models suggest that kissing and saliva exchange during sexual activity might be major contributors to community gonorrhoea morbidity.
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Syphilitic Chancre of the Lips Transmitted by Kissing - NIH
Second, kissing can also transmit syphilis, which may present as an oral chancre. T pallidum can invade mucous membranes through abrasion. Therefore, oral ...
[77]
Can You Get HPV From Kissing? - Verywell Health
Sep 6, 2025 · A few studies suggest open-mouth kissing may spread HPV, but the evidence is not conclusive. HPV is commonly spread through vaginal, anal, or ...
[78]
Transmission and clearance of human papillomavirus infection ... - NIH
However, the statement that saliva or deep kissing is likely irrelevant to oral HPV transmission is opposed by multiple previously published studies.
[79]
Saliva and viral infections - PMC - PubMed Central
Rabies virus. In contrast to norovirus, rabies virus is usually transmitted via saliva following a bite from an infected animal, which results in encephalitis.
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Oxytocin during the initial stages of romantic attachment
Studies in monogamous mammalian species underscore the central role of oxytocin (OT) in pair-bonding and human imaging studies implicate OT-rich brain areas in ...
[81]
The Neurobiology of Love and Pair Bonding from Human and ...
Jun 12, 2023 · Here, we provide an overview of the roles of oxytocin, dopamine, and vasopressin in regulating neural circuits responsible for generating bonds ...
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Oxytocin, Dopamine, and Opioid Interactions Underlying Pair Bonding
In this review, we focus on how the social neuropeptide, oxytocin, interacts with classical reward system modulators, including dopamine and endogenous opioids,
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Kissing May Be Evolution's Matchmaker - Live Science
Oct 10, 2013 · Kissing may have evolved to help people pick a compatible mate -- and to keep the love going in long-term relationships.
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Fresh Questions About Oxytocin as the 'Love Hormone' Behind Pair ...
Jan 27, 2023 · Researchers found that voles without oxytocin receptors could still form monogamous bonds with their mates, give birth within a regular timeframe, and lactate.
[85]
Is Kissing Before Marriage a Sin? What Does the Bible (God) Say?
Kissing in and of itself is not sin, yet if it would lead one or both of the Christians to fall into temptation, it should not be practiced. As Christians, we ...
[86]
Keeping the kiss for marriage - do I or don't I? | The Catholic Weekly
Aug 25, 2020 · Turns out that passionate kissing or 'making out' between unmarried persons is nothing less than a mortal sin. Perhaps this sounds over-the-top.
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What is an appropriate level of physical intimacy before marriage?
Sep 19, 2025 · But all should seek to honor God and one another. Some may draw the line at light kissing. Others may stop at holding hands or hugging. Others ...Premarital sex · How far is too far? · Fornication
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[PDF] Sexism in Practice: Feminist Ethics Evaluating the Hookup Culture
An inten- tionally feminist perspective is in a unique position to highlight and critique these faults and the additional resources of feminist theology and ...
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'Coercion and Conformity and Despair': A Feminist Critique of ...
Apr 2, 2013 · Donna Freitas wants college students to get serious about good sex. But what she sees is a hookup culture that leaves students empty.
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Consent 101: Respect, Boundaries, and Building Trust - RAINN
Aug 28, 2025 · Fact: If someone is underage, asleep, intoxicated, or manipulated into saying yes—they cannot give consent. How Consent Works in Real Life.
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5 things everyone should know about consent | Health & Well-Being
Oct 21, 2024 · Before engaging in any sexual activity, it's necessary to establish consent. This is true regardless of your current relationship status or ...