Perhaps for some people, but not for others.
Hmm, what does the picture have to do with anything? Also, you seem to be implying that there is a natural (or whatever) sexual tendency. That would be the case if biology influenced some people more.
In my experience love and sexual attraction are inextricably intertwined. In every romantic relationship I've had, the romantic attraction always came first, followed by sexual attraction. I think this may be different for most men, who seem better able to separate sex and love.
Well, I'm sure they are intertwined and binary, but I like to separate them for the sake of simplicity. I guess I don't want to think about how it all actually works because then you end up with the men=pig and women=gold-digger stereotypes. Sure, that is what research shows, but I like to think that I like a girl for more than her body.
The idea of "Cultural" attraction bugs me. I understand it, but it frustrates me because it reminds me of old-type thinking that certain races (or cultures) belong with others and never the twain shall meet or mingle. I know this is not true. But it does frustrate me that the idea is so prevalent in stick-in-the-mud societies.
Well, it is frustrating. I think some variation of this bothers me almost every day. Think about how Asian males are viewed in American society. Obviously, it does not have to be that way, but it is unfairly ingrained into society.
I'd like to add, however, that it does not necessarily mean that cultures or ethnic-racial categories should never meet and mingle. It could mean that they do to the exclusion of their own race/ethnicity.
The idea that you brought up does exist to some extent in every society in regards to whoever the dominant group is.
It is a terrible and depressing subject, but its also very interesting.
Yes, I agree completely. In my culture (disability) the assumption goes a step further in that we are assumed by many outside the disability community to be incapable of romantic/sexual relationships with each other. Therefore our relationships are assumed to be platonic friendships no matter how passionate and deep they may in fact be. If the relationship is "mixed" (i.e., one able-bodied partner, the other disabled), the able-bodied partner is often seen as a self-sacrificing saint who is more caregiver than equal partner. This has been my experience or at least my perception.
Thank you for writing this.
