The World Cup has been ongoing since mid-June, and exactly what effects it has on your sex life depend on the team you’re supporting, as well as your relationship.
If you are not a football fan, you may discover that when her boyfriend watches matches at the viewing centre, he may come home post-game tipsy from too many beers.
For some, the situation may lead to loneliness when a partner is out watching every game – and the less time couples spend together, the less opportunity there is to get sexual.
When you’re trying to wedge in time for football, work, and daily life responsibilities like eat and sleep, sex does get put on the back burner.
There’s some truth to the stereotype of the ‘football widow’ (which urban dictionary defines as “a woman who must cope with the temporary death of her relationship during football games,” but that we reckon can be gender neutral).
When your partner is emotionally focused on a sports event, they might not have much bandwidth left for intimacy – and any interruption for the purposes of sex could cause resentment (first on the football fan’s side, then on the other person’s side after they’ve been snubbed). If you’re both invested in the game, however, things can be different.
For some, after a loss comes a grieving period; a time when sex would be inappropriate, while a win provides enough joy to replace any desire for sex.
For some people, when the World Cup is ongoing, sex is the last thing on their mind.
“We’re all just there for the game! If we win, I’m satisfied. I don’t care about sex. If we lose, I’m sad. I don’t care about sex,” says Toby, a bachelor.
It’s like football takes up the space in our head space usually reserved for sex and relationships, and there simply isn’t enough room to be invested in both. Or, as James, 28, puts it: “No climax can compare to football coming home.”
But then, does the World Cup mean we’re doomed to a sex drought? Absolutely not.
Will it reduce the likelihood of sex? Possibly. But really, it’s up to you how much of an effect the World Cup has on your sex life.
The football isn’t on all day, everyday; so, there’s still time when you can squeeze in a session of sex.
Just be aware that people’s emotions are likely to be closer to the surface than usual, and sex might not always be the answer.
Trying to initiate sex while a match is on and your partner is squarely focused on the game: Not a good idea.
Dismissing your partner’s hurt feelings about a loss and trying to make a move: Not wise.
Jumping in on the joy of celebration and seamlessly turning it into lust: Could work.
Remember that the World Cup is important (to many people), but so is sex.
Respect the game and the emotions around it, but if football is taking up so much of your or your partner’s attention that sex disappears entirely, it’s time to have a gentle chat about making time for intimacy, too.
Football’s coming home. It’s coming.
But are you?
Share Your Comments