My name is Jose Carlos Cruz, I was born in the beautiful city of San Juan, in the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico. I have always been interested in the spiritual, biological, mystical, and physical aspects of the human sexuality, but I know no more about the birds and the bees than the next "guy." I would however, like to know more.

Coming from a Latin culture that embraces machismo, you don't get too many opportunities to ask questions about your sexuality. Most won't consider asking their parents, adults or other good sources about sex for fear of massive embarrassment. You get your information on the streets, or wherever you can. The other major source of information, or misinformation, are the cultural myths and legends that you hear over the years. That is your data.

Some of the myths you hear in the streets of are:

• if you masturbate too much, your organ will fall off, or hair will grow in the palm of the hand you use for masturbating.
• if you have intercourse with a woman during her period she cannot get pregnant.
• the busier a man keeps his woman, the less she is going to bother him.
• during foreplay when a woman says no it really means yes, so you should not stop at that moment.

In my country, coupled with misinformation about sex, there is a distinct double standard regarding sexuality for men versus that for women. The attitude towards men's sexuality is, "The more the merrier," "keep them coming." While with women the attitude is, "you wait till you are married1x" "If you have sex before marriage you are a whore." Not surprisingly, if you are the father of a girl you are always ready to kill whoever dares come near her.

Alone I am not about to change the ways of the Latin world, but if I had my way there would be a whole lot more valid information going around about sex -- in the house, in the schools, and in the media. Humans are a sexual being and there's nothing to be ashamed of1x If men and women did not enjoy each other's bodies you and I would not be here today. Lets get with the millenium and talk about the issues we face, our kids will face, and what are spouses/ significant others may want or need. Machismo has its limitations1x