11 MAY 1991, Page 31

Uncomfortable sex

Sir: Vicki Woods' article on the sex- obsessive tabloids was admirable as far as it went, but she did not reach any conclu- sions. The fact of the matter seems to be, and this is evidenced as much as by the British sense of humour as by the tabloid and respectable press, that the British are as a whole sexually immature.

The contrast with the French which your writer makes is significant. The predomi- nant public attitude towards sexual be- haviour is one of disapproval rooted in millions of individual personal inade- quacies, and it is extremely doubtful that the British will ever grow out of this adolescent attitude. Journalists and come- dians and others who exploit 'sex' in their work, are part and parcel of the collective mentality, the only difference between them and their audiences being that they get to parade their prurience before the rest of us. I have always considered, as I am sure many French people would agree, that the sexual peccadilloes of politicians and others in authority, makes them more tolerable and more human. In this country, however, it seems that homosexuality is more acceptable than active heterosexual- ity, which might be Considered further evidence of a basically unhealthy attitude towards sex.

The French, I suggest, have long since learned how to accommodate the natural sexual function: the British remain uncer- tain still as to whether it is a necessity or a 'trick played upon them by God. Either way, they are not comfortable with it, which it why they constantly allude to it. They like to disapprove of it, and to feel guilty about it. Aids has been a veritable gift to the British, something else for them to feel self-righteous and concerned about. Any sense of proportion has long been missing from this aspect of the British psyche.

J. G. du Carentin

The Old Hall, Wilberfoss, York