Sexual activities are often performed in a bed. Couples engaging in these also often sleep in the same bed. Sleeping girl Sleep is the fundamental anabolic process common to all life forms, plant and animal. ...

Non-sexual sharing of a bed may occur in families where there are not enough beds for everybody separately. A double bed A bed is a piece of furniture mainly used for sleeping upon. ...

It may also occur when lodging in a hotel etc. Reasons may include being more cosy, more practical, cheaper, and not more rooms in the hotel being available. Intermediate between sharing a bed and having separate rooms is, of course, having separate beds in the same room, but this is not always available. How acceptable sharing a bed is depends on culture, mutual relationship, and personal preferences. Inhibitions are weighed against how compelling the above-mentioned reasons are. People who normally sleep nude may wear some clothing for the occasion. Sometimes an alternative is sleeping on a couch, in a sleeping bag on the floor, etc. People who travel and stay away from home for more than a day need lodging mainly for sleeping. ... Hotel is the letter H in the NATO phonetic alphabet. ... An inhibitor is a type of effector that decreases or prevents a chemical reaction. ... For the band by this name see Couch (band) Sofas come in a variety of colors, patterns, and materials A couch, also known as a sofa, settee, or chesterfield is an item of furniture for the comfortable seating of more than one person. ... In camping and other outdoor activities, a sleeping bag is a protective bag for sleeping, analogous to a bed. ...

In cases where sexual activity would be socially inappropriate or illegal, sharing a bed may violate a norm and give rise to suspicion that there is a sexual aspect. In sociology, a norm, or social norm, is a pattern of behavior expected within a particular society in a given situation. ...

This depends on culture, the relationship between the people, and the situation. Factors that may cause or increase suspicion:

• in the case of sharing a bed with a child, the fact that the child is not close family
• nudity

In cases where sexual activity is illegal, such as if a child is involved, these factors may not make sharing a bed illegal, but also among authorities they may increase suspicion.

In the 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson defended sharing one's bed, without sexual aspects, with a friend, even if he/she is a child: Martin Bashir interviewing Michael Jackson Living with Michael Jackson is a notorious Granada Television documentary [1] in which Michael Jackson is extensively interviewed by British journalist Martin Bashir. ... Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. ...

"Why can't you share your bed? The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone."

He said that on many occasions he has shared his bed with one or more children.

Responding to concern after the airing, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas W. Sneddon Jr. stated that, under California law, if someone sleeps in the same bed with a child this is only forbidden in the case of touching the child with sexual intent [1]  (http://www.countyofsb.org/da/documents/PR-Michael%20Jackson.pdf) [2]  (http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/pen/281-294.html). This is independent of whether the child is family, and independent of clothing. Santa Barbara County is a county located on the Pacific coast of Southern California, in the state of California, just west of Ventura County. ... A district attorney at the city level in the United States is the prosecutor for a municipality or local judicial district. ... This article concerns physical and human touch. ... Intent in law is the planning and desire to perform an act. ...

To a lesser extent restrictions on sharing a bed because of the potential of sexuality may more generally apply to close proximity, or even just being together in a house, a room, or a secluded place, see e.g. proxemics under sharia. The term proxemics was introduced by researcher Edward T. Hall in 1963 when he investigated peoples use of personal space. ...

See also

• Co-sleeping
• Attitudes regarding nudity