Thinking about Sex

In "Thinking About Sex, or Not" Pamela Paul showcases a study called “Sex on the Brain?: An Examination of Frequency of Sexual Cognitions as a Function of Gender, Erotophilia, and Social Desirability,” by Terri D. Fisher, Zachary T. Moore and Mary-Jo Pittenger, The Journal of Sex Research
which asked college-aged people to note whenever they thought about sex, food, or sleep. Instead of men thinking about sex "all the time" the average guy thought about sex 19xs a day and women 10xs. This dissipates the notion of men (or women depending upon the cultural context) being sexual ravenous and insatiable beings.
The most notable part of the article was the "finding" that "gender...is not the major determinant of how often students think about sex. More influential is a person’s self-measured degree of erotophilia or comfort with sexuality. People who like sex and feel comfortable with it think about it more." (Paul, 1)
I think that this is such an undervalued and invaluable statement that many adults don't even realize. I believe that gender norms and expectations likely contribute to the discomfort and confusion surrounding sex and sexuality. Being comfortable in oneself is the first step towards being comfortable with others, both intimately and sexually.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/fashion/sex-on-the-brain-studied.html?scp=2&sq=sex&st=cse