The pelvic thrust is the thrusting motion of the pelvic region, which is used for a variety of activities, such as dance or sexual activity.
The pelvic thrust is used during sexual intercourse by many species of mammals, including humans, or for other sexual activities (such as non-penetrative sex). In 2007 German scientists noted that female monkeys could increase the vigour and amount of pelvic thrusts made by the male, by shouting during intercourse.
One of the first to perform this move on stage was Elvis Presley, which was quite controversial due to its obvious sexual connotations. Due to this controversy, he was sometimes shown (as seen on his third appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show) from the waist up on TV.Twerking is also used as a dance move. The sideway pelvic thrust is a famous female dance move in Indian Bollywood called Thumka, it appears in lyrics of many songs.
Pelvic thrusting is observed in infant monkeys, apes, and humans. These observations led ethologist John Bowlby (1969) to suggest that infantile sexual behavior may be the rule in mammals, not the exception. Thrusting has been observed in humans at eight to 10 months of age and may be an expression of affection. Typically, the infant clings to the parent, then nuzzles, thrusts, and rotates the pelvis for several seconds.