This was too amusing to pass up. Aren’t we all tremendously relieved to know that men do not in fact think of sex every 7 seconds? It turns out, it’s at somewhat more graspable intervals.
Apparently, men have a sex flash something like once every hour or so. Once every 1.26 hours, to be precise.
Now, as to who started the 7-second rumor long, long ago – who can say? And the once an hour update? Does that stat rate any cred, given that it’s a study with such a small and narrow demographic?
As for sex flash, that’s my term for a passing thought, a visual, an urge, a whatever the interpreters of such data might choose to include.
And don’t we all love to interpret data as we see fit?
By the way, may I specify that the population in the study in question is comprised of 120 college students aged 18 to 25? Now there’s a representative sample!
But not to worry. There were also 163 women on hand for comparative purposes, and conclusions that nonetheless may prove no surprise.
Lest you doubt my (dubious?) reportage – the Huffington Post article I’m referencing states:
men do think about sex more than women… but nowhere near as frequently as the oft-quoted, origin-unknown “every seven seconds” … And men don’t think about sex much more than they think about food (18 times a day) and sleep (11 times a day), the research showed.
Excellent news!
You see? Men and women are more alike than we realize! And our mommas didn’t steer us entirely wrong telling us the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. It’s just not the only way.
May I add that as the mother of two college sons, I can anecdotally vouch for the persistence of thoughts on food? I base this on the Empty Fridge Syndrome (do consult your DSM) – when my young gentlemen and friends gather in the house.
Likewise, with sample data of approximately 17 teens in periodic residence, I can authenticate the instances of sleep. Surely that number is sufficient for extrapolation to the entire male population, no?
I always wondered about the 7-second statistic, imagining that some bored researcher had watched Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe a few too many times (a surplus of six perhaps?) and simply landed on Lucky Seven as pleasing to his postulating palate.
There is a bit more to the study (and the article). All of which leaves me shaking my head.
- How many other gender myths are yet to be busted – or for that matter – created?
- How many of our tuition dollars are being used for similarly critical research pursuits?
7 seconds? How absurd. Do women really think we men are that shallow? I have never been… *looks you up and down… eyes wander… mind wanders… un certain je-ne-sais-quoi… Qu’est-ce qui me vient à l’esprit? Lingerie française?*
I’m sorry, what were you saying?
Clearly you are my target market for whatever lingerie-de-luxe import-export business I may decide to delve into… footwear fabuleux absolutely obligatoire. Don’t you just love “data,” William?
Hmm… wonder what the data would show for men over “that” age. Or no, married over 30 years to the same woman. Or no, no, women married over 30 years to the same man. Or no, …
Most amused by your response, Gandalfe. I imagine those other figures would be widely variable, based on a broad range of circumstances…
I think you said it all with your second question! How much tuition money is used for this inane “research”? Or, how much of my tax dollars!!
Exactly, Lisa!