On Sunday night’s episode of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” we watched Cynthia Bailey and Peter work through their relationship issues. Cynthia was attempting to get her health back in order after suffering from fibroids; Peter was worried about getting their sex life on track after he was forced to go without.
To call Peter’s concerns overtly selfish would be an understatement, as even after knowing his wife wasn’t having sex with him because of her health issues, he was still whining and crying like a depraved little boy. However, my opinion switched just a bit as Cynthia talked about how the couple’s sex life would improve after she was back to 100% health. She said once she got over the fibroid hump, she’d be down to have sex once a week, stating that that should be enough and adding that if she didn’t have to work she’d be perfectly fine upping that figure.
Now for my full disclaimer: I’m not married, nor anywhere near, but I have been in monogamous relationships and I have to say once a week sounds pretty low to me. Shoot, singles can get sex once a week if they try hard enough. And though I rarely agree with RHOA’s Kenya Moore, as I read her thoughts on Cynthia and Peter’s sex life in her Bravo blog this morning I could do nothing but nod my head as she wrote:
“I’m not a sex therapist and I’m not married. But sex is a huge part of a successful relationship. Once a week is not enough! Cynthia girl, get some female Viagra and some sexay Agent Provocateur and get to work! I hope she works that out… Literally! LOL!”
Cynthia’s reluctance to get busy more than once a week sounds like it may be tied to her being, or at least feeling like, the breadwinner of the family. I’m not sure if Peter’s bar/club/lounge is still in operation, but it does appear the Bailey Modeling Agency — and Cynthia’s participation in reality TV — is what’s keeping the family afloat and when a woman is stressed and feels like all the burden is on her, sex definitely tends to take a backseat. However, if we’re just talking about working on a daily basis as most married women do these days, Cynthia, honey, you might have to step your sex game up.
Sex is a lot of work, and we know men tend to want it more than women, but it’s also vital to be able to meet your man at least halfway on this need — not because you’re afraid what you won’t do another woman will (hate that phrase by the way) but because sex builds intimacy and tells your partner you care about his needs. No one wants to feel like they have to beg you to sleep with them, which was one point I did sympathize with Peter on because it’s clear he feels Cynthia’s lack of desire for sex is tied to a lack of attraction for him or his inability to please her and you never want to make your partner feel that way. On the flip side, you also don’t want to make your wife feel like sex is her second job. It’s truly up to couples to determine a sex schedule that works for their individual libidos, but I don’t think I’m too off target when I saw sex once a week between two healthy, consenting, in love partners is not nearly enough.
What do you think?
