Sex Lives and Videotape

Have camcorder sales increased since the film sex, lies and videotape became last season's sleeper smash hit? Or hove a significant number of video buffs been writing and taping own X-rated videos for years and keeping quiet about it?

Participating with a current partner in a favorite pastime, privately, in front of a camera...is it erotic? Exciting?

Or have the few adult video scandals played up in the media made it so dangerous none of us ought to risk sexual activity before our camcorders?

The issues behind the current interest prurient camera use are complex and far-reaching.

Home video sex may sound like a sensual, innovative, and inexpensive way to improve upon the 1300 hardcore films stashed in the back of the video rental store. But without informed consent and confidential handling of taped material, the issues become moral, ethical, and political.

And, with potential victims and profits involved, issues can also become legal.

Consenting Adults

Home video sex can be one of two things: sexual enrichment or sexual endangerment.

Sexual enrichment is a term long used by sexologists and marriagë counselors. It refers to a wide range of private activities, performed between consenting adults, that can enhance an existing sexual relationship.

These include massage with and without oils, furs, or feathers; playing with sex toys, dressing up in erotic costumes, acting out fantasies; reading erotic literature; and watching X-rated films.

For many couples, maintaining passion in a long-term relationship is work, requiring a willingness to experiment and take risks with new and varied activities.

With the advent of the camcorder, couples with an active imagination and courage enough to watch themselves on screen can explore an additional dimension of sexual enrichment. With today's technology we can all be TV stars, we can all be our own private porn stars.

Many couples see home sex as sexual enrichment: a way to enhance marital communication, excite routine relationships, or just have fun on rainy Saturday nights when the kids are at gran…