The Daily Indian

A study has revealed that 79 per cent of women face sexual harassment at workplace and those in casual and contract jobs are more at risk. 79 per cent of women face sexual harassment at workplace.

Anthony LaMontagne, associate professor at the VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, examined the likelihood of sexual harassment in different types of employment.

“Our study shows that 79 per cent of those who experience unwanted sexual advances at work are women,” LaMontagne said. “The study is an important new evidence because precarious employment has been associated with a variety of adverse working conditions as well as with poorer mental and physical health,” he added. “People who are employed in casual jobs are about five times more likely to be subjected to unwanted sexual advances. The research also shows that people in contract positions are about 10 times more likely to be sexually harassed at work,” LaMontagne added.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation CEO Todd Harper observed: “Not only are women more likely to experience sexual harassment but females make up bigger proportions of industries which use more casual and contract labour.”

“There is a strong link between sexual harassment and mental health problems. This behaviour is costly and preventable,” Harper said in a release.

After eco-friendly bulbs and cars, wondering what more you can do to help the planet? Well, go green between the sheets. Intimacy in the bedroom is not only healthy for your relationship but it can be good for the environment, too, if you use the following tips, reports Fox News.

Here are 8 ways to make your sex life a little more eco-friendly:

1] Eco-lingerie: Slippery and stylish, eco-undies and other fine undergarments are now made of hemp silk, organic cotton, bamboo, and other renewable fibers.

2] Bamboo sheets: Make over your bed with silky bamboo fabric. These eco-friendly, luxury sheets come from a renewable source and are usually grown without pesticides and harsh chemicals.

3] Sustainable wooden paddles: Coco de Mer makes top of the line sustainable wooden paddles complimented with fair-trade leather wrist cuffs.

4] Local flowers: Try to use locally grown or seasonal flowers when wooing your lover. They’re right there and don’t require using as many fossil fuels by coming from miles away.

5] Organic wine: When wining and dining each other, go for wines made from certified organically grown grapes. These are grown without any chemical fertilizers, insecticides, weed killers and other synthetic chemicals.

6] Organic lubricants, vibrators: Companies are starting to make lubricants free of parabens and petro-chemicals, like Babeland Naturals Organic Lube. Sex toy industry has also started to make vibrators out of elastomer, a latex-free material that doesn’t contain phthalate – which can cause birth defects.

7] Environmentally friendly condoms: Consider using the sheepskin condom, for it is biodegradable.

Researchers at the University of Utah studied more than 300 middle-aged and older couples who had been married more than 20 years. Each couple answered questionnaires about their relationship and mental state and took lab tests.

They found women in marriages with high levels of strife were more prone to depression and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms such a thick waist, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal blood sugar that significantly raise the risk of heart disease.

“What we found is that negative aspects of the marriage – a high level of conflict and discord were associated with increased levels of metabolic syndrome for women and not for men,” said Tim Smith of the University of Utah, who is studying marriage quality and heart disease.

“That seemed to be explained by the fact that women in strained marriages also reported more levels of depression,” a known risk factor for heart disease, Smith said in a telephone interview. The study is being presented at a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Chicago. Smith, who worked on the study with doctoral student Nancy Henry, said a bad marriage was roughly equivalent to leading a sedentary life in terms of raising the risk of metabolic syndrome.

He said the findings represent one of many factors a woman should address to reduce her risk of heart attack. But he said women should tackle other potentially more serious issues first. “It’s silly if someone is a smoker to talk to them about difficulties with their spouse,” he said. “You have to start with the stuff that is most dangerous.”

Baby, sweetie, honey …” And that’s just the soundtrack. Hand-holding, arms over the shoulder, palms in the back pocket, pecks on the cheek, lingering embraces, lip-locking, parkland fumbling: when it comes to public displays of affection (PDAs), what’s acceptable and what’s not?

“PDA alert,” says a friend as we walk through a shopping centre food court. She points to a couple more interested in each other’s lips than their kebabs. “Get a room,” she mumbles.

My friend has probably behaved in a similar way but it’s no use reminding her of that: I am talking to a PDA cynic in a moment of repulsion. Dr Jan Hall, a Melbourne clinical psychologist, says taboos around PDAs are a legacy from the 19th century “when focus was placed on respecting others and being dignified”.

“But these days, public displays of affection are much more acceptable,” Hall says. “It is now fine to hug and kiss in public as long as it doesn’t last more than 30 seconds.
“For some, it’s about being lost in the moment of pleasure and like a trance, they forget others are there. For others it is definitely a form of exhibitionism — they get turned on by knowing others are watching.”

Whatever the circumstances, Hall says the public have the right to protest if the PDA “causes discomfort in others”.

Acceptability of public affection depends on the environment, Hall says. “Heavy groping and sexual rubbing might look OK in a dark bar but would be inappropriate on a bus.” Andrew Mahony, director of Etiquette Training Australia, agrees. Mahony says people need to show discretion and consider those around them. “What might be acceptable in front of adults will not be acceptable in front of a family,” he says. “People overstep the line, in any situation, when they don’t take the time to consider their environment.”
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is one environment prone to PDAs. Bernard Carlon, acting executive director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, is not surprised that the backdrop of the bridge, Opera House and harbour makes visitors feel romantic. “The gorgeous trees, shrubs, flowers and soft grass make it all very appealing for a romantic stroll or picnic.”

Carlon says that people of all ages and nationalities might kiss and cuddle or hold hands but “it’s usually the younger generation who get carried away” and cross the line. While the garden authorities haven’t received any formal complaints about offensive displays of public affection, Carlon says that over the years the rangers have been told informally by visitors about people going too far. “When this happens, the rangers caution offenders tactfully,” he says. “Usually they’re asked to leave and find a more suitable private location.”

As a matter of the law, inappropriate displays of affection can also get you more than a polite invitation to leave. A duty manager at Kings Cross police station, who did not want to be named, says that if people are engaged in indecent or offensive behaviour, the police will take appropriate action.

Down the road at the Bourbon Bar, the management has to maintain vigilance against inappropriate displays. Operations manager Phil Cooke steps in when people are “making out” for an extended period of time with no regard for others around them. “If it’s getting outrageous at the bar, I’ll tell people to get a room,” he says. “Occasionally, people also try and take it to the next level, mainly in the toilets, and that is definitely not acceptable.”

In four years at the Bourbon, Cooke says he has seen thousands of people removed from the premises. “It’s something every nightclub and bar experiences,” he says.

Men unknowingly annoy women by proposing or professing their love in a way that they mean to be romantic but that ends up disappointing their partners. A survey conducted by a South Korean wedding agency and released ahead of Valentine’s Day, the prime season for proposals and grand romantic gestures, found that the first rule is never to assume.

The poll by the firm Duo of 89 men and 107 women found that a majority of the women chose diamond rings as the most favourable gift while a majority of the men falsely assumed that women want simply sweet words or a song of love.

The survey found, however, that none of the 107 female respondents wanted a song.

The second rule is not to be stingy.

The magic of the moment might be lost if a man makes the mistake of taking his girlfriend out to a place around the corner, Duo said.
“He was handsome and funny, but I dumped my younger date after he brought me to a neighbourhood motel to propose,” said respondent Kim Hye Jin, 32, a marketing manager at a pharmaceutical company. “I felt miserable when I was sitting in such a cheap place at such a moment.”

The third rule is no public surprises.

The wedding agency said a woman on the receiving end of such a bombshell might often feel embarrassed or uncomfortable rather than loved.

A 29-year-old male respondent identified only by his family name of Chung told of a time when he jumped on a restaurant’s music stage while dining with his girlfriend to yell, “I love you”, and read aloud a love letter to her.

What he got in return, he said, was not appreciation but a look of shame. “This is ridiculous,” she told him. “What is this in front of all these people here? Let’s get out of here.”

Playing hide-and-seek with a wedding ring — for instance, by placing it in a cake — is also not considered romantic by women, Duo said. Many found it common and outdated. So is there a universal way to touch women’s hearts? The wedding agency said many men found this way to be most successful: Prepare champagne, wine and balloons, and kneel down before her and tell her what’s in your heart.

Several couples, at some point or the other, have relationships outside their marriages. Most of them are hidden and secret, that stir a gamut of emotions, and one of which is guilt. We spoke to a few people, who confessed feeling guilty, and others, who defended themselves. Moment of truth Businessman Shailendra Kewalramani has been married for four years, and he confesses that he shares the most blissful moments and agonies with his ladylove and not his wife. “My wife and I lack bonding. I found the completeness that I always longed for, only after I met my ladylove.” Shailendra denies suffering from guilt pangs for cheating on his wife, and says, “Guilt would have been there only if I had any feelings for my wife.”

Shailendra’s was an arranged marriage, but Renuka (name changed), who had a love marriage got emotionally involved with another man. Reason? No emotional bonding and her husband’s touring job that gradually drew her towards another man. “I respect my husband. He is good and I care for him, but somehow the love have vanished. We don’t quarrel over anything and are fine with whatever the other person does.” Renuka shares everything with this other friend she has found. “I get all the emotional support from him,” she says, who, at times, finds herself at fault for having a relationship outside her marriage. Think rationally

Deepak Dhawan has found a good friend in his wife, but his soulmate is someone else. He says, “My wife is supportive, but there’s no sex life. I do feel guilty, but this is how things have shaped up now.”

Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright, a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc., has come up with top mistakes men make in bed…

The biggest mistakes men make include:

Foreplay doesn’t start in the sack :The timer for enticing does not start once you hit the sheets. Your pre-game show is best approached as an all day affair. Women love to be wooed. Sex is a head game — in more ways than one — and women want to know you can’t get them out of your mind. We love knowing that we are desired.

* Don’t head south straight away: A woman needs to be properly aroused before any below-the-belt action feels good. Be sure to focus on her entire body — head to toe —before going for the gold.

* Get to that G spot : In digging for buried treasure, many guys don’t know that “X” doesn’t always mark the spot. Found on the front wall of the vagina, a woman’s G spot may be a little higher or lower, or more to one side than the other, than often depicted.

* Don’t be too goal-oriented: There is nothing more endearing than a man who wants to play. Just don’t get caught up in yourself. Your sexual exploration should be playtime for two. Stay “present” in the moment — connecting with your partner will bring the ultimate climax for both of you.

* Let her be naughty :Sometimes she needs to get in touch with her adulterated side. In fact, research has found that women are more aroused by explicit fantasies than romantic ones. It’s not always about the prince on a white horse or canoodling on the beach.

* She’s not a porn star:As seen in porn films, many men expect their lovers to fulfill their every fantasy. Remember that porn is fantasy, not reality. Expecting her to act like a porn star is simply not fair.

* And men aren’t supposed to look like porn stars: Despite what XXX-rated films indicate, most women are not lusting after a three-legged man. Maybe some women are up for the challenge, but many are fine with the guy who fits within the norm. Don’t be too hard on yourself for being just that.

* One orgasm is not always enough: Women are not as quick to come down from their aroused state as men are post-sex. Many can be launched right back to bliss, and many women do crave more action and orgasms, even if they were perfectly satisfied the first time round.

Do you feel that stress is squeezing the fun out of your bedroom life? How to make your life stress-free

If yes, then you can bring back the action, courtesy tips provided by sex educator and relationship expert Dr. Yvonne Kristin Fulbright. According to the expert, many couples become frustrated, even panicky, when their sex lives go to the wayside during stressful times. When it comes to the factor that governs a person’s sex life, it’s personality, reports Fox News.

Fulbright says that how an individual’s sex life fares depends on whether he tries to get closer to his partner in tragic times or wants to be totally alone and if he’s the withdrawing sorts, then it can create misunderstandings in the relationship.

In order to avoid any such misunderstandings and still keep sex life full of fun and passion, Fulbright has suggested that couples need to establish a common ground and mutual understanding during stressful times.
Also, they should make an effort to stay connected during life’s highs and lows, because if they don’t, it could lead to dire consequences. And in case, sex is not on mind and also the time to be spent in the sack is less, then a person can try the following:

l Showing appreciation for one another. Giving compliments, for example, is a simple way of expressing affection and letting your partner know that he or she is still being noticed and loved.

l Talking daily. Chat during dinner or at bedtime. Conversations foster bonding by providing support. It’s also important for couples to check in with each other, showing concern and care for one another’s well-being with simple statements like, “Tell me about your day.”

l Staying positive . Bite your tongue if you’re about to complain. Stressful situations are hard enough to deal with. Don’t add to it if you can avoid doing so.

l Believing in your future together. Stressful times can make lovers doubt their ability to stay together for the long haul. Insecurity issues that arise can only make matters more difficult. Making plans is one way to indicate that you’re feeling secure about your future.

l Balancing ‘alone time’ and ‘together time.’ Create a sensual atmosphere, for example, soothing scents, dim lights, delicious food, and relaxing music to help you unwind.

l Getting creative in how you’ll be intimate . Redefine your definition of sexual intimacy when needed; try a simple body massage.

Not to forget, lovers should make it a point to give in to one another’s requests for intimacy whenever possible, as it might just prove to be a big stress-buster. In fact, sex has many physical and emotional benefits, which may help in boosting your desire for more sex and emotional intimacy. Sex can easily take your mind off of your worries. Also, patience is the key to get your sex life back on track. One should make sure that your relationship, in general, doesn’t get neglected.

Baby, sweetie, honey …” And that’s just the soundtrack. Hand-holding, arms over the shoulder, palms in the back pocket, pecks on the cheek, lingering embraces, lip-locking, parkland fumbling: when it comes to public displays of affection (PDAs), what’s acceptable and what’s not?

“PDA alert,” says a friend as we walk through a shopping centre food court. She points to a couple more interested in each other’s lips than their kebabs. “Get a room,” she mumbles.

My friend has probably behaved in a similar way but it’s no use reminding her of that: I am talking to a PDA cynic in a moment of repulsion. Dr Jan Hall, a Melbourne clinical psychologist, says taboos around PDAs are a legacy from the 19th century “when focus was placed on respecting others and being dignified”.

“But these days, public displays of affection are much more acceptable,” Hall says. “It is now fine to hug and kiss in public as long as it doesn’t last more than 30 seconds.

“For some, it’s about being lost in the moment of pleasure and like a trance, they forget others are there. For others it is definitely a form of exhibitionism — they get turned on by knowing others are watching.”

Whatever the circumstances, Hall says the public have the right to protest if the PDA “causes discomfort in others”.

Acceptability of public affection depends on the environment, Hall says. “Heavy groping and sexual rubbing might look OK in a dark bar but would be inappropriate on a bus.” Andrew Mahony, director of Etiquette Training Australia, agrees. Mahony says people need to show discretion and consider those around them. “What might be acceptable in front of adults will not be acceptable in front of a family,” he says. “People overstep the line, in any situation, when they don’t take the time to consider their environment.”

Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is one environment prone to PDAs. Bernard Carlon, acting executive director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, is not surprised that the backdrop of the bridge, Opera House and harbour makes visitors feel romantic. “The gorgeous trees, shrubs, flowers and soft grass make it all very appealing for a romantic stroll or picnic.”

Carlon says that people of all ages and nationalities might kiss and cuddle or hold hands but “it’s usually the younger generation who get carried away” and cross the line. While the garden authorities haven’t received any formal complaints about offensive displays of public affection, Carlon says that over the years the rangers have been told informally by visitors about people going too far. “When this happens, the rangers caution offenders tactfully,” he says. “Usually they’re asked to leave and find a more suitable private location.”

As a matter of the law, inappropriate displays of affection can also get you more than a polite invitation to leave. A duty manager at Kings Cross police station, who did not want to be named, says that if people are engaged in indecent or offensive behaviour, the police will take appropriate action.

Down the road at the Bourbon Bar, the management has to maintain vigilance against inappropriate displays. Operations manager Phil Cooke steps in when people are “making out” for an extended period of time with no regard for others around them. “If it’s getting outrageous at the bar, I’ll tell people to get a room,” he says. “Occasionally, people also try and take it to the next level, mainly in the toilets, and that is definitely not acceptable.”

In four years at the Bourbon, Cooke says he has seen thousands of people removed from the premises. “It’s something every nightclub and bar experiences,” he says.