Oz Dating

A recent survey of women finds that sex, like wine, gets better with age.

Every now and then a story comes up in the media about how love is overwhelmingly biochemical, and that it won't be long before a scientifically proven "love potion" is developed.

Another one of these stories has just surfaced. Apparently there's been a lot of research into one particular hormone, oxytocin. This seems to be the key, and Australian researches are testing whether it can be used to help ease discord between married couples.

Sounds like the much anticipated "love drug" really is on the verge of creation this time.

Many people dream of having a lot more money and sex in their lives. But they are certainly not a guarantee of happiness. On the contrary, an excess of them can be highly destructive.

Take the case of this rich banker, who sexually indulged himself so heavily it contributed to his death by suicide.

Consensual sex in private is considered no one else's business in most Western countries now. That's a good, sensible law, and it holds in most cases.

But occasionally, the definition of "private" is open to dispute. And that can have serious ramifications.

Take the case of a swinger's party held in a hotel bar in the USA. It was infiltrated by undercover cops, and the organizers have been charged because it was legally defined as a public place.

Some cops have been stood down after being snapped in compromising positions with erotically dressed young women at an S&M themed Hookers and Deviates Ball in Darwin. 

I really fee sory for these guys. There's a lot of pressure on cops to be friendly and cooperative with the public. On the other hand they have to keep the peace and uphold the law in a dignified way. They're treading a very fine line all the time.

And that's even when they're not in an alcohol fuelled, sexually charged environment. Throw those elements into the mix and apropriate behaviour becomes almost impossible.

Speaking of research, here's another interesting statistical fact: The British are the most promiscuous people in the world. 

Things must have changed a lot over there in the last couple of decades. That nation has long had a reputation for being sexually repressed, particularly in comparison to the more decadent Europeans.

But now they're ahead of them! Sadly the French, who surely must have led the pack for quite a while there, are now lagging way behind in seventh place.

We keep hearing about how the modern woman is bored with that throwback to a bygone era, the dinkum Aussie bloke; that she'd much prefer to be wined and dined by a cashed up metrosexual who is also whiz in the kitchen.

But the truth seems to be rather different, if a recent survey of the female members of a large Australian online matchmaking site is any guide. Seems that they'd much prefer the company of real men who can build stuff than sensitive refined types and corporate raiders. As one bloke put it, "the ladies prefer tradies". 

Some people theorize that devotees of S&M have found a healthy way to sublimate their violent, aggressive impulses. Get these urges out in a structured and ritualistic way, they say, and you become a much more placid, peace loving person.

Sounds plausible. But as these bizarre recent events show, that logic doesn't always hold.

Brothels in Australia are not nearly as pofitable as they used to be. Firstly, there's the world economic crisis, which means that men are less likely to spend their hard earned money on sex. Then there's the online dating industry. Because increasing numbers of men and women are using these sites for casual encounters, the number of sexually frustrated men seems to have declined!

Interesting.

We're definitely living in tumultuous times when single issue political parties start to spring up. The Australian Sex Party is an example. Much of the reason for its existence is the Government's proposed plan to filter the internet.

I suspect that the next party like this will be one campaigning aginst the impending Emmissions Trading Scheme (though I doubt very much it'll have a name anywhere near as attention grabbing!)