So I’ll get this out of the way: SEX. S-E-X.
This is a column about sex. Because for most of us, we’re having it, we like it and we like to talk about it. We should talk about it — all of it.
This is why:
Our generation knows what it’s like to grow up in a sexually confusing social climate. Sexual images are all around us in pop culture, yet our society fetishizes virginity. Most of us had abstinence-only sex education in high school, so we learned plenty about why we shouldn’t be having sex, but not much about what to do if we decided to do it anyway. This is why I, along with so many members of our generation, am writing about sex.
USA Today reported in 2002 that “sex columns in college newspapers ... have been multiplying like jack rabbits.” In 2009, The Nation featured an article on what it called “the student sex column movement.” Dan Reimold, an expert on the student sex column, said he estimates “during any given semester, more than 200 sex and dating columns are being published in U.S. student newspapers, magazines, and online outlets.”
So this spring in “Between the Sheets,” I would like to open up a discourse for honest and frank communication about sex, because it is part of a majority of our lives as college students. This is not “Cosmo” sex tips; I’ll never tell you to use your thong as a hair-tie or suggest the reverse cowgirl position is “kinky.” I am not pursuing shock value, nor will I make any blanket statements about how sexuality should or shouldn’t be.
I hope that we can all learn a few things together.
Next time I will be discussing contraception, so share your thoughts on the matter at OUDaily.com or through an e-mail to the editor
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Preach it, sister! I love sex, and you're right: I love talking about it and it's a complete shame that it's considered improper to do so.
I think this is a great idea. Though, I find it ironic that the people who were so up in arms about the "f-word" column don't seem to have noticed another sex column in the Life and Arts section. I guess heterosexual sex columns are okay to have in a college newspaper, but not homosexual columns.
Cambrian -take it easy, not everyone's lives revolve around the Daily. Other than the spot where she says she'll talk about reproduction, you'll need to point out just where, amongst that drivel, there is anything exclusively hetero.
However even if it were as you say this subject is, indeed, below L&A. More to the point is whether there should be a regular sex-talk column. Where is your skepticism? Larson’s own citations don’t support her notion that a regular column is warranted, whether it be on the Opinion or L&A
Dan Reimold “an expert on the student sex column” (I trust he has that on his business cards), says nothing about a regular column. Considering the number of university and college student newspapers nationwide, 200 columns during a entire semester doesn’t sound like all that much.
The recent column on putting condom machines in dorm rooms would qualify as a sex-talk column.
There is no evidence anywhere to justify the semi-tabloid USA Today to proclaim a “movement.” Yet Larson cynically suggests that we need to hustle to keep-up-with-the-Jones, university-wise.
Most disturbing is her deliberately deceitful word play where she clearly infers (not an oxymoron) her intention is to advocate for promiscuity.
I was volunteering at the OU Women's Outreach table yesterday. I tried to pass out condoms but people shyed away, gave excuses, or just plain ignored me. Why would you turn down FREE birth control! I applauded those who had the courage to come up and take one. Some with enthusiasm and a smile. While perhaps they were showing off this nonetheless is a great stride. We should not be afraid to talk about birth control. We are sexual beings! We are young! I respect those who choose not to have sex and those who do. The biggeset issue is talking about it. We cannot act as if ignoring it will make sex, stds, pregnancy,etc go away. Open discourse about safe sex practices will lead to healthier choices!
Scandalous.
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