Do we have any idea if it was ever the original intent that Vulcans have sex only once every seven years? It would seem odd for T'Pring to be so on about Stonn if there wasn't a sexual component to it.
Maybe I'm reading it wrong.
Keep in mind what T'Pring said: Spock had become "much known among our people - almost a legend. I came to know that I did not want to be the consort of a legend."
I take that to mean that T'Pring didn't want to be married to a celebrity who wouldn't actually be part of her day-to-day life (being away on the ship for months at a time, or even years), and in the meantime she would be judged on her ability to conform to Sarek's high expectations (and don't say Vulcans don't judge others; we know full well they do).
While it would be a breach of the customs against showing emotion for T'Pring to admit that she didn't want to live a life of being alone while her celebrity husband was off gallivanting around the galaxy, I think that's part of why she chose the challenge. I think it's too simplistic to assume she only meant sex when she said, "Stonn wanted me and I wanted him." She probably meant also that they had more in common (interests, attitudes) than she had with Spock.
All this said, don't assume I like T'Pring. She's awful. But it's very likely that she had more on her mind when she challenged than just wanting Stonn as a sex partner.
Well, I assumed that they would start meditating as soon as it majorly impacts them. Vulcans are pretty big on privacy, I don't think they'd let other people around notice that they're experiencing Pon Farr.
Warning to all fanfic-haters: I'm about to mention fanfic.
There's a series that's primarily about Sarek and Amanda's marriage, from the time they met until some point during Kirk's 5-year mission. Part of the series explores how Vulcan society deals with pon farr when it's something so private that nobody ever talks about it.
The author postulates that the whole process takes place over several days to maybe a week or two (varies among the couples, as people aren't all the same of course). The way it's handled is simple: The two people involved inform whoever their superiors are at work that they will be taking a break/unavailable. That's all they need to say; the rest is understood, and the time off is granted without question.
There's a scene in which Sarek is in the early stages and is meditating, Amanda has already taken care of the "need time off" business, and she's preparing for what's to come by making sure there's lots of food, water, and whatever medical supplies they might need (a practical necessity), as neither will be in any condition to leave to take care of such matters until it's all over.
While some people might think this is a silly way to depict pon farr, it seems to me that it's... logical. Sarek won't be in any condition to think at all, let alone logically, so Amanda (or any female half of the couple) has to do it for him (and make sure she herself isn't hurt since Vulcans are much stronger than humans). At the time of this specific story where this is described, Spock is away at Starfleet Academy, so there's no worries about needing a babysitter. But it's mentioned in the story that when Spock was younger, he was sent to stay with his grandmother for a couple of weeks, or when older, he would just board at the Vulcan Science Academy.
I'm pretty sure that Michael's sex ed teacher explained to her how human sexuality and Pon Farr and stuff differs. She might take it as the norm in a purely "knowledge" type of way but that wouldn't really affect her in a behavioural way.
I don't see how Michael would be affected in any way at all, unless she were telepathically bonded to a Vulcan.
The Federation's ideals are what they want to be, not how they're actually depicted.
This is an apt observation, applicable to any of the centuries we've seen depicted in various series and movies.
Picard and Riker never learned this basic fact, and that's why they're so judgmental and clueless. Janeway, too, to some extent.
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