Based on information gained from sexological studies, a great many ordinary people's sex lives are very often quite different from popular beliefs about normal, in private.
However, using this definition makes use of a long list of sexual perversions which themselves show up hidden assumptions about cultural norms.
Recently, in Western society, consensual paraphilias are becoming more acceptable, in particular "any activity, not otherwise illegal, performed between consenting adults in private."
This liberalization of attitudes has resulted in the decriminalisation of homosexuality in many countries, following the ground-breaking Wolfenden report in the United Kingdom.
There is also greater acceptance of sexual relationships (partnerships) without requiring the sanction of a form of marriage recognised by the church, state or legal system.