Men
and Women, Sex and Love
Sex
and love -- or should it be the other way around?
The first time I wrote the title to this article it
was phrased "Love and Sex." But we should
all know by now that it takes a long time to develop
a relationship into one of true love whereas a willing
partner is generally the only prerequisite to having
sex.
Unfortunately,
the way men and women view sex as well as their corresponding
feelings of what constitutes love often causes a great
deal of confusion and pain for everyone involved.
Men
and Sex (and Love)
If
we are to believe the hype, men like sex almost more
than they like money. They think about sex all the time.
They want as much sex as they can get. They can never
get enough sex.
It's
okay for men to think about sex all the time. It's a
macho thing. It's a man thing. If they didn't act as
though they were thinking about sex all the time, they
might be looked upon as less than manly, perhaps even
gay.
In
other words, men have an obligation to think about sex
all the time or at least say they are. Many men judge
each other by their sexual conquests as well as their
financial accomplishments.
A
man never stops being measured by his sexual activity.
In many "highly cultured" societies, a young
female is a measure of an older man's sexual prowess.
Who wouldn't be impressed when reading that a 72-year
old's 20-year old wife has just given birth? Probably
not his older ex-wife.
Is
there too much emphasis on a man's need for sex? Probably.
But let's consider for a moment Bill Clinton.
Do
we dislike the man because he had sex with a woman much
younger than his wife? No, that shows his virility.
Do
we dislike him because he broke his marriage vows? Well,
yes, but if he didn't, how could he possibly have expressed
his manliness?
Do
we dislike him because he lied about the sex? Possibly,
but wasn't he just doing what so many other men do when
they meet a woman they choose not to resist?
It
would seem Mr. Clinton's biggest mistake was thinking
that as the President of the United States he could
have the same privileges as other men in the office
have had before him. And so he did. Except he got caught.
Men
and Love (and Sex)
As much as men like sex, they have a problem with some
women who may share the same sexual appetites. It's
okay for their non-serious girlfriend or their paid
escort to be super charged, but everyone knows those
women couldn't possibly be someone's mother, or sister,
or wife.
When it comes to love, a man wants his mate to be pure
as the driven snow or as close to white as possible.
He doesn't want to think of her "doing it"
with anyone else.
A
man wants to enjoy sex, but he has mixed feelings when
his wife has a lusty sexual appetite. Is she loose?
What kind of reputation does she have? Are there men
he doesn't know (or may know) who think he's a fool
for marrying her?
He
wants to be her first and her only. But this brings
up a rather peculiar predicament. While it's okay for
a guy growing up to lay every girl in sight in order
to develop into the suave, sophisticated, experienced
man he is, what about those same girls when they finally
meet a man who is interested in marriage to a "nice
girl"?
If
all the young women said "no," what would
happen to the sexual education of young men?
This
quote from a young man seeking advice on my FRIENDS
and Lovers website may give voice to what many men secretly
feel, albeit they may not be quite so obsessed with
female virginity nor so outspoken.
He
says "...I am a 23 year old virgin male. It is
by choice and not for any other reason (like I can't
get any). I just graduated from college and basically
didn't date (again, believe it or not, by choice). I
am a very focused person and have strong feelings about
my education. Besides, I was so busy that I didn't have
the time that women need and that I would like to give
them...
Weeks
after my graduation I met someone. I was the pursuer.
She was very friendly and was easy to talk to. So, after
knowing her for about one month, I asked her out. We
had a great time...and we have ever since. What I'm
saying is that my focus has changed. I'm ready now,
after my years at college, to get serious. We hit it
off like I can't even explain. We are the exact same
person...almost.
Like
I said before, I'm a virgin. She is not. She is 29 years
old and I guess it's not a surprise that she isn't a
virgin. We have been together for 7 months and our relationship
is absolutely perfect!
I
just want to be different, but I can't help thinking
of the other guys she has been with. If 'we' work out,
will I be compared? Does she have any diseases? Will
it be special to her? Am I different than the others?
I have asked her those questions and she has given answers
that are satisfactory. All of her relationships have
been long-term monogamous ones.
To
tell you the truth, it eats away at me to think that
she was with someone else (more than one). It actually
makes me physically ill. I have always wanted to share
that most intimate experience with another like myself.
To learn together is a dream of mine. In fact, it was
virtually at the top of 'the list'. I think about it
all the time...
Everything
she has done, everything that has happened to her and
all her experiences have resulted in exactly who and
what she now is. That's the problem! I realize these
experiences are what have caused her to appreciate me
so much. She has had a sexual past. It may sound insensitive,
but to me, if I share my life with someone who has had
a sexual past... it's left-overs! After all those jerks
use her for that (and most do use women for that), I
get the left-overs. I don't want that..."
And,
here is a quote from How to Flirt With a Man on the
Net:
"1.
MEN HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS Many men have a version of
the ideal woman they could take home to mom -- and another
fantasy woman they'd like to take home to bed. Which
role do you want to play? Get clear about this because
each game has a different set of rules. Ironically,
the game plan for success in one area can be a disaster
in the other. To make matters more complicated, men
want you to play one role perfectly at night (in private)
and another (publicly) by the light of day."
Men
and Sex and Love
Men don't confuse sex with love. Women do. Men don't
understand that most women consider sex to be a part
and parcel of love, even if they have just recently
met a man.
While
most men feel no obligation of commitment after a few
rounds of sex with a new girlfriend, she is probably
thinking of names for their future children.
She
believed him when he said "I love you."
I'm
not sure there will ever come a time when men and women
will think about sex and love the same way at the same
time although it certainly would make for less complications
if it ever could happen.
Take
care of yourself.
~ Pat Gaudette
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