Any type of pleasurable sensual stimulus itself is not specifically sexual. Its sexual implications ultimately lie in the eye, ear, nose, tongue or touch of the beholder. Sensual experiences give pleasure to the body but don't necessarily involve a partner. Erotic experiences occur in specifically sexual situations. Romantic experiences arise in a loving and caring, but not frankly sexual, situation.
Some people are equally responsive to sensual, erotic and romantic stimuli.
Others may respond more strongly to one type of stimulus than to others. The years between puberty and marriage are for many a time of intermittent sexual frustration. This sociobiological problem is exacerbated through the assiduous cultivation of erotic interest as an instrument of commerce in the fields of advertising, the Internet, TV, fashion and publishing. At the same time, in our societies, many of the conventional restraints such as chaperonage and educational segregation have been largely abandoned. Nowadays the young of both sexes mix freely in almost all social activities.