Men often get a bad press these days and so it is encouraging to read that a large international study has found that men would rather be seen as honourable, self-reliant and respected than attractive, sexually active or successful with women. The study included interviews with more than 27,000 randomly selected men from eight countries and showed that men also tended to view good health, harmonious family life and good relationships with their wife (or partner) as more important to their quality of life than material, self-fulfilling or purely sexual concerns.

“Being seen as a man of honour” was cited as the most important part of masculine identity by men in Spain, Brazil, Mexico, United States and France, while “being in control of your own life” was the most important in Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy.

The research, part of the Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) project, aimed to determine characteristics of masculinity and quality of life in men with and without self-reported erectile dysfunction, and how their ideas might affect seeking help and treatment. There was no significant different in attitudes between the two groups. Among the institutions involved was The Kinsey Institute (at Indiana University) -- a name inviting suspicion since its founder, Alfred Kinsey, probably did more than any other person last century to sow confusion about sexuality. But whatever your view of sex research, these results seem positive. ~ Science Daily, August 27