Sex O'Clock News: About sex in space, child marriage in Pakistan and how love affects sexual activity

Sexual desire has a stronger effect than love on the amount of sex partners we have.

Exploring sex in space

For a long time now, space travel has been one of the great frontiers. From organisations to governments to individuals, people have been throwing money into space exploration. But now some people are starting to ask a more delicate question: what about having sex in space? As people are sent off on long space missions, the issue becomes more pressing: can you have sex in space? NASA has said that “it doesn’t study sexuality in space.” But the human need for sex and intimacy is undeniable and the emotional and mental effects of being deprived of sex could take a toll. Which is why the clamour to send sex toys and e-robots into space started. Where sex toys just provide pleasure, e-robots – a  term which encompasses sex-robots, erotic chatbots, and virtual or augmented partners – provide intimacy and companionship as well. Of a sort, that is. But for this to happen, organisations and governments will have to acknowledge the need for sexual experiences during space missions. Watch this space.

Pakistan passes child marriage ruling

A court ruling in Pakistan has said that men can marry underage girls, under Sharia law, after they have their first menstrual cycle. The ruling was made by a high court during the trail of Huma Younus, a 14-year-old

Catholic girl, who was abducted, pressured to convert to Islam, and forced into child marriage. The judges ruled against her parents, who cited the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act, which prohibits the marriage of any child under the age of 18. The court decided that the marriage was ‘legal’ as Younus had already had her first period. Younus’ parents are turning to Pakistan’s Supreme Court to try and find justice for their daughter.

How does love affect sexual activity?

Low sex drive is the most common sexual problem reported in relationships. Now, a new study, published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, explores whether love and desire are linked with having and enjoying sex more – or if it is down to desire alone. The study asked participants how much they agreed with statements such as “During the past day, did you feel sexual desire for your partner?”. And “During the past day, did you feel love for your partner?” On the days when love and/or desire was higher, the participants were more likely to engage in and enjoy sex with their partners. However, when comparing desire and love, it was found that sexual desire has a stronger effect than love on the amount of sex partners we have. Which is kinda stating the obvious…