The ongoing battle of the sexes. What keeps us at arm’s length or living with frustration? Is it communication styles? Opposing needs? Physical differences?
I recently asked a group of men and women on Facebook to answer some important questions. More than 200 responses came back, approximately 70 percent from women and 30 percent from men. I was impressed by those who were willing to open up with such raw honesty about their fears, turn offs, turn ons and what they wish for more of. Enjoy this peek into the minds and hearts of men and women. If you have something else to add, I welcome your comments or email them to me for a follow up column.
What women said they wished men knew:
I am afraid of …
10 Being more committed than my partner
9 Catching an STD
8 Not being able to ask for what I want and need without being criticized
7 Not achieving orgasm
6 Not being loved in return
5 Losing my attractiveness
4 Being hurt (emotionally or physically)
3 Not being enough to all who need me
2 Being lied to or cheated on
1 Being abandoned
I am turned off by …
10 A lack of interest in me for more than sex
9 Sexual innuendos in conversations
8 Lack of grooming (particularly pubic hair)
7 Arrogance and emotionally selfish men
6 Excessive drinking or drug use (smoking included in this)
5 Speedy, selfish sex
4 Lack of initiative
3 Poor communication skills
2 Poor hygiene (unclean body odor and bad breath were the biggies)
1 Dishonesty
I am turned on by …
10 A dirty mind and freaky sex
9 A hot, hard body with a kind, soft heart
8 Men in uniform
7 A good provider and protector
6 A good sense of humor
5 A man who cares about and takes care of his health and fitness
4 Confidence
3 A man who treats his woman and children well
2 Honesty
1 Good communication: mental stimulation and meaningful conversation
I want more …
10 Dancing and romancing like when we first met
9 Of a sense of leadership
8 Verbal expressions of love and appreciation
7 Listening to and supporting me without telling me what to do
6 Flowers just because
5 Participation with household chores without being asked
4 Emotional maturity
3 Fun, creative foreplay and adventurous sex (full throttle sex)
2 More affectionate touch without necessarily expecting sex
1 Undivided attention, i.e. Dates, pillow talk, grabbing a coffee, sexting, etc.
What men said they wished women knew:
I am afraid of …
10 Having the locks changed (again)
9 Choosing the wrong woman and wishing I could have another or getting bored
8 Losing my freedom
7 Being cheated on
6 Premature ejaculation
5 Not getting enough sex and being tempted to cheat
4 Not being able to perform sexually or please you
3 Not being able to provide well enough for family
2 Rejection
1 Failure
I am turned off by …
10 Having my butt grabbed or slapped hard during sex
9 Too much makeup and fakeness
8 Yelling and overly aggressive women
7 Crass, loud women
6 Naggy, bossy, complaining women who bash men
5 Comparisons to your ex
4 Too many sex rules (the long list of don’ts)
3 Lack of sexual adventure
2 Insecure, needy women
1 Poor hygiene (no oral sex for women who smell bad was the No. 1 comment)
I are turned on by …
10 Suggestive smiles and eye contact
9 Sexy clothing
8 A fit, healthy body
7 Beautiful smile
6 Strong, intelligent women
5 A great personality, someone interesting to talk to
4 A woman who knows what pleases her sexually
3 Calm and confident women
2 A sexy smelling woman … subtle perfume or just clean
1 Creative, adventurous (and sometimes freaky), frequent sex that she occasionally initiates
I want more …
10 Appreciation
9 Treating me like and allowing me be the man
8 Openness
7 Honesty
6 Encouragement
5 Patience
4 Understanding of the male species and not criticism
3 To earn more money
2 More spontaneous random acts of sex and willingness to broaden sexual pleasures
1 Good, enthusiastic oral sex
The one thing that was glaring to me throughout this was the absence of superficiality… Women tend to believe that men are attracted to large enhanced breasts, a thin body, perfect skin; and women only want someone who looks a certain way or is rich with a glamorous job, etc. All of the actual responses here related to feelings of wanting and needing to feel LOVED.
To understand this concept better, I refer you to the book, The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. The five he has described are: verbal affirmations, physical touch, acts of service, quality time, and gifts. You can take Dr. Chapman’s online test to find out your primary love language. I’d also be grateful if you would email me your answers to these questions. Pay close attention to which areas you speak of most. This will clue you into your love language and how when someone shows you love in your own language you are on cloud nine!
Intimately Yours,
Nancy
“Sex is like air; it’s not important unless you aren’t getting any.” Author Unknown
Nancy Sutton Pierce RN, Health Educator is the Founding director of Nancy Sutton’s House of Yoga and Radio Talk Show Host on The Conscious Living Show LIVE every Saturday 11a-12noon on KCNR 1460am You can reach Nancy at asyoudesire@ymail.com with your comment or questions.
As You Desire is proudly sponsored by Body Logic MD; helping both men and women restore their libido and vitality through hormone therapy, fitness and nutrition counseling. www.bodylogicmd.com
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