Perspectives

Sex! That four-letter word. I came of age during the 1960s and, as such, participated in the “sexual” revolution of that time. I am unsure how revolutionary the actual sex was during the ‘60s, but the idea took hold that making babies wasn’t necessary when making love. Reliable, safe birth control was, by my estimation, one of the most significant developments of the 20th century. It transformed the relationship (and power) between men and women and liberated a woman from the repetitive slog (and burden) of bearing child after child until one’s teeth fell out. Sexual “liberation” is predicated on refining the maxim that anatomy is destiny, particularly for women.

Fifty years later, human sexuality is as pervasive, as ubiquitous, and as accessible as our social media. Sexuality is depicted, discussed, debated and dissected in all our media. All the time. The idea of sex floats through a man’s mind every 15.4 seconds or 7 seconds or, according to one study, 5,000 times a year (14 times daily). Whatever the number, it is just as pervasive a fantasy (objective), today, for females as it is for men.

Not only is it the all-encompassing, enveloping idea, it has become “a” measure of our well-being. Mind-boggling sex is something, understandably, we now believe is every human being’s natural right to pursue and possess. Life, liberty and the perfect orgasm! Short of that — sexual fireworks all the time (or on demand) — we feel life is passing us by or, worse, the sex is better, yes, unimaginably better and hotter, for even our chubby, chatty, catty neighbors across the cul-de-sac. Sigh.

In order to meet the insatiable demand for “things” sexual (sexpectations), I offer a new range of descriptive words that sexcellently captures our hyper-sexualized times. I recently discovered that if you only add the letter “s” to any number of words that begin with “ex” that a whole new vocabulary is available for describing our sexual life. I offer a few sexamples for your consideration.

• Sexpert – An expert in/on sex, college degree optional

• Sexpire – That delicious post-coital moment

• Sexamination – Playing doctor, say “Ahhhhh.” Ohhhhhhhh!

• Sexclusive – Sex with only one partner

• Sexpedition – Wilderness camping with a naked friend

• Sexplode – Mind-boggling release

• Sexplain – Why someone else’s panties were in the dryer

• Sextraordinary – Way-out-of-the-ordinary sex

• Sexaltation – Praising a new partner’s prowess in bed

• Sexcuse – Not tonight Dear, I’ve a headache.

• Sexhibition – A provocative art show or a bad bar scene

• Sexistentialism – Our 21st century condition but, no doubt, you come out on top

• Sexclamation point – The point in a relationship that is purrrrfect

• Sexcitable – You are so ready!

• Sexemplary – Arguably the best sex you’ve ever had

• Sextrovert – Makes even you blush!

• Sexercise – Not yet available at the YMCA. Not yet.

• Sextricate – Exiting a “physically” demanding relationship

• Sexit – Immediate sextrication

• Sexile – A modern “condition”

• Sexchange – Saturday’s date is different from Friday’s

Our sexistence is one sextraordinary sexperience. Sexcess may be so sexhausting. Some sexaggerate. Some sexperiment. Some even sexhort. I sexpress and sextrapolate. Some sexplanation!