The following refers to a rural community in Ireland according to research done in 1966. Although Inis Beag is still a small and largely secluded community today, these beliefs are no longer likely to be this conservative and are definitely not representative of Ireland's beliefs as a whole. Inis Beag, a small island off the coast of Ireland, is among the most naive and sexually repressive societies in the world. The islands abhor nudity, with adults washing only the parts of the body that extend beyond their clothing. Even marital partners keep underclothes on during sexual activity. Premarital sex is essentially unknown, as is female orgasm. The husband invariably initiates sex, foreplay is limited to kissing and rough fondling of the buttocks, and the male-on-top position is the only position used. The male has orgasm quickly and immediately falls asleep. Men believe that intercourse is hard on their health and will not engage in sex the night before an energy-demanding task. Moreover, they do not approach their wives sexually during menstruation or for months after childbirth. The island women fear both menstruation and menopause. It is commonly believed that the latter can produce mental disorder. Thus, some women have retired from life in their mid-forties and a few have even confined themselves to bed until death years later. Sex education is virtually nonexistent. Parents merely trust that, after marriage, nature will take its course.