Blog Archives

Scientists = Men, Say Biased Scientists 

Gender bias in science

Gender bias in science

If men are better systematizers — better at unraveling the rules of the universe — then it’s only fair that science research labs are bastions of testosterone.

Biased (unscientific) research has made it seem so. Read the rest of this entry

Gay Porn as Sex Ed for Women?

Why do women like gay porn?

Why do women like gay porn?

I’ve talked about reasons why some women watch gay porn.

Gay male porn stars are usually more attractive than their straight counterparts. And they seem to be having more fun than their female counterparts.

But some women watch gay porn for the sex ed. Read the rest of this entry

Women and Gay, Hot Bods

Why do (some) women watch gay porn?

Why do (some) women watch gay porn?

Why do women — especially lesbians — watch gay porn?

Well, not all women – probably a minority of them. But still.

I recently wrote that gay porn stars seem to have more fun than their straight female counterparts.

But gay porn stars are also HOT.

And how much of the allure comes from spotlighting — shall we say — a certain part of the male physique? Read the rest of this entry

Robin Williams’ Depression. And Mine.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams

Robin Williams died about a year ago. As a tribute I am reposting a piece I wrote last year, in hopes that others might benefit from reading about my struggle with anxiety and depression. I’ve also learned a little more in the last few months.

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Robin Williams’ death jarred me. And disturbed me. Reading about his struggle with depression and anxiety, his words kindled my own dark memories.

Unlike Robin, I’d found a way out. Read the rest of this entry

The Hairy Gender Gap

However hair is styled, it says something about gender. Let’s take a look at recent Western history.

Men and women both have long hair, but…

In the 18th-century men and women both kept their hair long — but women’s stylings were more elaborate and ornate, as with King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette (as played by Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman, pictured here):

Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI

Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI

Read the rest of this entry

Gay Porn Stars Have More Fun

Why do women watch gay porn?

Why do women watch gay porn?

Why do women watch gay porn in large numbers if they don’t find penises arousing?

That’s what “Claire” wondered. Read the rest of this entry

Are Men Mentally Tougher? 

Tough guise

Tough guise

Men are strong and stoic and women are weak and dependent, right?

That’s the stereotype. But stereotypes can create social patterns. And surprisingly, things that appear weak may turn out to be strong. And vice versa. Read the rest of this entry

Hooking Up Deprives Women of Marriage?

College hookup culture?

College hookup culture?

Women should stop hooking up because it stalls men’s maturity and keeps them from getting married. A lot of young women will never marry because men can get sex without commitment.

That’s what what a young man told me a few weeks ago. Read the rest of this entry

Dating Lessons From OkCupid

Ok, Cupid

Ok, Cupid

by Lisa Wade, PhD @ Sociological Images

Dating site OKCupid did an analysis of 500,000 inquiry messages to determine what keywords correlate most strongly with getting a reply.  It has some great lessons about dating and some counter-stereotypical news about what heterosexual women want from men. Read the rest of this entry

Love Hurts Others

Love hurts

Love hurts

We all know that lost love and unrequited love hurts. But as a headline from Live Science points out, “Love Hurts (Other People)” too.

Florida State researchers surveyed 130 hetero students in long-term relationships on their levels of jealousy (e.g., “How likely are you to surprise-visit your partner to see who is with him/her?”). Read the rest of this entry