IS THREE THE MAGIC NUMBER?

Fast forward through almost any porn movie, and a threesome seems like a fine way for bored co-eds, drunken neighbors or PTA members to pass the time. But in the harsh light of reality can the threesome truely find success?

Since the 90’s they have become the new in vogue, the alpha dog of the sexual fantasy scene, the beast with three backs and if you’re not having them, you’re supposed to be, allegedly?

In its most profound description, the three-way is a high-end expression of the possibilities of the human heart, a testament to our ability to share our love and nurture each others sexual desires. On the other hand, is it just about banging the two for one? Sandwiching ourselves, for ego, for sexual discovery?

Everybody has their own explanation, they’ve done it, know somebody who did, saw three people about to do it or like most of the population are only obtaining it view rental or download. Needless to say, the threesome, once taboo but now so very cool, has exploded onto the cultural radar. Saturating our already soaked society with the need to consider a third; no matter whether it’s an extra Krispy Kream, a t-shirt or sexual partner.

Lad mags, as I like to call them and their ‘no seriously this isn’t porn’ cousins, consistently glorify, even worship the notion of having two females in the sack (preferably bisexual nymphomaniacs). “It’s the ultimate compliment to a man’s pulling power” one male friend of mine exclaimed. But is it just a male fascination with two women? Or is its popularity a richly fabricated fantasy facade that women have been conditioned to consider to feel desirable?

The idea of a supporting cast of two women and one man is everywhere, from bar talk to advertising, buying nicely into the assumption that all women should be inherently bisexual or can at least, be talked into being so, but straight men should remain straight.

However in the spirit of cohesion, I was pleased to discover that the two male to one female ratio is finally taking off after a sluggish start. While women may have a preference for an attractive stranger in a FFM threesome, men by far will only consider a MFM threesome if it’s done with a good friend. There is no interaction for heterosexual men however - they still fear the crossing of the swords.

When it comes to what type of threesome is superlative, it all comes down to doing it with people you don’t really care for. Like sex buddies, threesomes are best done with acquaintances or mutual friends to ensure a successful outcome.
When it comes to relationships however, the ménage a trios involves one of the trickiest of numbers. No matter how ready you think you are? Can you really handle it?

Like shoes and tires, relationships are strictly a party of two. When a third person is thrown into the lollie bag mix of love and feelings there can be disastrous consequences - jealousy, broken hearts and betrayal. People may fool themselves into believing that a threesome will help slove the problem of a sexual lag, but by no means is it the best solution. In many cases the threesome becomes a catalyst for a break-up, tending to reveal peoples true adgendas. Whether it be boredom, a lobby to sleep with a partners attractive friend or a means of skirting issues about sexuality. Its a dirty dirty business.

But as we hop excitedly into a sextually permissive realm of possibility, there is no doubt that the menage a trois will continue to hold a seemingly permanent cultural sway over our collective imagination. Championed in both low budget and box-office frat comedies and Robert Heinlein novels, the threesome will certainly continue to rise to the occasion.

One may be the loneliest number; two can be as bad as one,
but three, it’s just plain fun!