What makes the world go round?

From Lily Allen's baby news to slightly pornographic art being shown at an auction house, I have been bombarded with an array of issues of a sexual nature in the past 24 hours.

Following the delightful news that 25 year old popstrel-turned-fashion designer, Lily Allen is expecting with her builder beau Sam Cooper, I of course took to Twitter to not only wish Ms Allen congratulations but also to note the multiple tweets of well wishing from magazine editors, celebrity baby websites and random tweetaholics.

Aside from the fact that I am in total brood-mode and am lapping up every baby-related TV programme, news blast, magazine article and book; it really seems as though it is on everyone else's mind too. In one form or another.

The September issue of Marie Claire invites readers to take part in a quiz aimed at analysing one's fertility fitness. From BMI and lifestyle to family genetics and menstral cycles - every area is covered. But it's not only female fertility that we are being made aware of, but male fertility also. The front page of yesterday's Metro called out the potential dangers of certain plastics used in food and drink containers in stunting a man's reproductive abilities and an article earlier in the week reminded us that regular jacuzzis and hot baths, not to mention the wearing of tight underpants, can affect a man's sperm count. Yes it seems everyone is thinking about or talking about ...or reading about, their sexual IQ (a.k.a ability to reproduce).



Sitting on the train yesterday afternoon heading home pre-rush hour, I noticed the man next to me had retrieved several pieces of paper and parephernalia from his suit jacket pocket. I didn't think anything of it until he unfolded one leaflet to reveal the header: How to make your erection stay hard. Double take... Ahem, surely one shouldn't be so freely reading what I'm sure is such a personal piece of literature on one of the most public places in London??

Albeit seemingly unrelated to babies, rather this experience (which slightly scarred me) divulges the (ideally private) thoughts of a mature man contemplating his options regarding sustaining his sex life. But what drives this in the first place? The need to reproduce, to procreate, to continue the existence of humankind.

Last night, as I sat and watched first, Look Who's Talking and then Knocked Up (both for probably the 55th time), it occurred to me how in both cases sex was the primary motive for the resulting offspring. A non-thought for both female protagonists prior to their sexual encounters. You're probably thinking, well duh, everyone knows you need to 'do it' to have a baby... Okay, but do we ever really think about the reason why we want to 'do it' in the first place. Yes it feels good, some individuals use it for domination purposes (no judgement), some abuse it for their own sense of power (major judgement) but for the majority it is the most intimate way of saying 'I love you'.



Sex provokes strong reactions in people - case in point, a piece of fine art to be sold at auction has elicited numerous responses from the people who have seen it this morning. Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful and not offensive (in my humble opinion) but it reveals a little more than bosoms. Some could not stop staring, some were bemused at the visual impact and some were anxious about the effect it would have on the wider public.

Sex in it's many forms impacts differently on people; from changing your life with the conception of a baby, to forcing you to consider your own sexual aptitude and to assessing how it will be received in different forums. So does sex, alone, make the world go round? I think it's safe to say it's a pretty strong driver...

Once upon a time...

When I was a little girl, I believed that all girls grew up to be princesses and all boys grew up to be princes. Of course, I am reminded that this is an idealistic fantasy on a daily basis, thanks to the men who push me aside to get onto the tube, men who leer at me as I walk past them on the street and men who allow alcohol to excuse their filthy language and aggressive behaviour. I apologise if I sound like a total prude, but I admit, I long for the days when ladies were ladies and gentlemen were gentlemen.



I would settle for not having to worry about wearing clothes that accentuate certain assets which invite unwelcome comments and attention from menacing male passers-by... and yes, if I were to get transported back through time I think I would choose the period circa Jane Austen. Although, that too comes with its negative trappings, like limited freedom over choice and lifestyle.

The dilemma we ladies face is this. We demand equality with our male counterparts, fighting for our rights to work, vote and education, however we wind up with men feeling threatened by our new-found power (both at home and in the workplace) and a belief on their part that we should still remain in our proper place, ideally second to them. And it seems as though their behaviour towards us confirms this attitude as they attempt to relegate us to sub-status by objectifying us, threatening us and ignoring us.

I am not going to generalise and apply this litany to ALL men; there are a vast majority who do not come under this bracket. However, we are still plagued by the remainder on an almost daily basis.

And we must acknowledge that there are members of the female race who have fallen on the wrong side of the equality track. The younger generations are less inclined to hold the values of eras gone by so bombarded are they by visions of contemporary culture. Men and women today hold more regard for material things than they do for human life. I honestly believe that if you asked a teenager what they would save first in a fire, they would immediately say: their iPod!

You may be thinking I am an old fuddy-duddy trapped in the body of a young 20-something woman, but these are my core values - I would rather spend the evening talking and eating with my significant other than stare mindlessly at a TV (though of course, there are times I will do that). But my point is, we must acknowledge what is important within the context of the technological and material age we live in. People should have respect for each other on a very fundamental level (i.e. not charging onto a train before other people have alighted)... so that we can perhaps look forward to living happily ever after?!