Johannesburg - Why do women take longer than men to become aroused? Why can women have multiple orgasms, but men can’t? Why do people cheat in their relationships?
These age-old questions on sexuality will be in the spotlight when the Conscious Sexuality Conferences come to town in May.
The conferences, to be held in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town, will be headlined by Dr Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha, the American authors of Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships.
Ryan felt that South Africa was the perfect place to speak about what he covered in his international bestseller.
“South Africa is one of the most exciting places in the world right now, and I’m eager to know the country better. We all benefit from honest, informed discussion of anything as central to our lives as sexuality. We live in a time of taboos that are strong enough to impede our most important conversations,” he said.
He also felt that South Africa’s issues made it more important for an open dialogue about sexuality.
“South Africa is facing major issues involving sexuality that need to be discussed honestly and openly. For example, South Africa reportedly has more people with HIV/Aids than any other country, and among the highest rates of sexual violence.
“Any conference that creates a space where human sexuality can be discussed openly will be a step in the right direction for South Africans.”
Ryan said his anthropologically based presentations would answer the question of why people stray.
“Several factors conspire to make long-term sexual monogamy difficult. As a species, we’ve evolved to be sexually responsive to novelty. From a genetic point of view, the lure of new partners combined with diminishing erotic appeal of the familiar motivated our ancestors to risk leaving their small hunter/ gatherer societies to join other groups, thus avoiding incest and bringing crucial genetic vigour to future generations.”
He also plans to question those who marry for love.
“Most people in the West marry because they’re ‘in love’, which is a temporary, blissfully delusional state.”
Ryan and Jetha will be joined by five other speakers from countries including France and Canada, and sexual expert Dr Eve.
Tickets range from R700 to R1 150. See www.consciousevents.co.za for more details.
SPEAKERS
Margot Anand (France): Authority on tantra and author of the Sexual Ecstasy books.
Sasha Cobra (US): Healer, facilitator and speaker on sexuality, spirituality and relating.
James W Jesso (Canada): Author and speaker on conscious relationships.
Rahasya (SA): Founder of the Advait Tantra School.
Dr Eve (SA): Sex expert, writer, columnist, and television and radio talk show host.
The Star