WILD CRAZY monkey sex! It is indeed unfortunate, but these four words may have just grabbed more readers than any other I have ever penned. There has been a lot of talk recently about open discussion of sexual issues. While acknowledging that open discussions can be beneficial, it is important to note that there is a fine line that we walk between sex education and sex promotion.
Sexual relations are, by definition, a private matter between a man and a woman. Mindless banter about sex only serves to belittle the inherent meaning intrinsic to sexual acts. If an individual or person does not share such acts in high esteem, they still do not need to broadcast their lurid details to the rest of society at large.
Unfortunately, one of the most powerful forces in our society, the mass media, shoves so much of this rampant sexuality down our throat that it is hard to value it in the least. Nearly every prime time TV show from "Star Trek" to "The O.C." uses sex to attract viewers, and it is no surprise, as the old adage still holds true: sex sells. Janet Jackson's Super Bowl performance and subsequent media attention is only further proof of this. The fact that such behavior has no business being broadcast on our public airwaves is only a side note in most reporting.
We have truly become desensitized to sex, and this is harmful for two reasons. First, this creates a need for the media to shock or impress us by pushing the limits that much further. When will this stop? When channels are airing hardcore pornography during prime time? Second, this desensitization harms the intrinsic value of sex. As college students, we already fall prey far too easily to the "drunken hookup" culture that seems so rampant. Healthy relationships fade into the background as the inherent value of sex is belittled.
Critics love to bash abstinence-only education plans as "close-minded" or ineffective. This is simply not the case. It is here that we see the fine line that must be walked between sex education and sex promotion.
Sex education that teaches someone the facts about sexual activity, the negative consequences and the only way to avoid these consequences -- abstinence -- cannot be classified as a negative thing. It is important to detail that contraceptive options are available, but when we glorify the condom or "the pill" to young people as some great solution that allows irresponsible behavior, we find that we are promoting a culture that debases human nature. The truth of the matter is that abstinence works and the programs that promote abstinence are worthy of our time and support.
A discussion of such issues has clear benefits. An educated populace can make the right decisions for themselves, and it is certainly rational to expect that such a discussion could further that goal. That being said, some people take the thought of an open discussion of sexuality beyond the limits of rationality.
Recently The Cavalier Daily debuted a new Health & Sexuality section. No doubt, such a section will offer benefits to the University community. Featuring health and sexuality-related matters on the pages of this newspaper can go a long way to promote a healthy lifestyle; however, the recently unleashed sex column needs to be reigned in a notch or two.
The latest column runs the gamut from "1969" jokes to what to do after performing oral sex. This is precisely the sort of base discussion that belittles the value of sex. It is one thing to promote safe sexual practices or educate the populace regarding birth control, yet an entirely different thing to discuss the amount of physical exertion required to straddle a man.
Certainly, The Cavalier Daily represents a good deal of this fine University to the outside community, and this sort of talk is clearly out of line. These sex columns are a far cry from a discussion which can actually benefit our society. One can leave such low-brow reporting to other University publications with less of a reputation on the line.
We are sexual beings, and the gift of sexuality has been bestowed upon us for a reason: reproduction. But beyond simple procreation, such acts can be a beautiful display of love between a man and a woman. Yes, we must approach such subjects in an educated manner, but we must not allow ourselves to reduce sexuality to such a low that it no longer means anything.
Daniel Bagley is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. He can be reached at dbagley@cavalierdaily.com.
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