Sexual tension

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Sexual tension" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Sexual tension is a social phenomenon that occurs when two individuals interact and one or both feel sexual attraction, but the consummation is postponed or never happens.

A common scenario is where the two individuals function in proximity, such as co-workers or in a group of friends, but do not have sex to avoid awkwardness or for other reasons.^[1] Sexual tension often occurs between individuals when the relationship is close and often flirtatious, yet the people involved deny or repress their feelings for each other. Meanwhile, it can appear obvious to other friends or co-workers that such tension is present. When people with sexual tension have sex, the relationship can become complicated and awkward if a new type of relationship is not established, as the relationship that existed before is no longer valid.

Sexual tension can also occur when two individuals who have previously had sexual relations still feel an attraction towards each other, but do not wish to have sex again for fear of its effect on their current social situation—such as maintaining a relationship with a different partner. It can also be felt in situations when two individuals have a relationship devoid of physical contact, as in a long-distance relationship.