Sex Talk in Memphis

S.E.X. week (early October) for University of Memphis college students meant more than just the sharing a bunch of shocking stories around a bowl of free condoms. This week represented the incorporation of different forms of sex education into the lives of what older people would term as 'carefree.' In this contemporary society we live and love, ideals of sex are promoted all around us through television, radio, and other forms of media.

Hmm. No wonder our sexual tensions seem to build with each passing day.

On the other hand, making decisions of a sexual nature involves all sorts of other issues like health (biology), body explorations (anatomy), sexual preference (sociology and psychology), and dating (communication) to name a few. All of us share some aspect of this examination, for no one's life is perfect in that area.

Campus conversation on sex has come a long way from the prudish scolding college institutions approached toward sexual education almost fifty years ago. Well, talk of sex really changed with the shift of an increase unprotected sex, the emergence of sexually transmitted diseases, an increase in pregnancy, and other horrors (date rape for example).

Having a community of your peers to ask for advice or offer suggestions could be a pretty sound idea if the standard is right.

What standard you ask?

Simple. As a young adult growing up in such a complex world, finding out exactly who you are should be a central priority on your list. This helps when coming up against obstacles that test whether you are assertive enough, self-assured or not, or if you have enough wisdom to distinguish right from wrong. The relationships (friendships or partnerships) that college students form can sometimes involve the unexpected. Are you responsible enough to resist certain demands that may arise?

How much value do college students place on sex, love, or the merging of both in a meaningful relationship? Some people have no qualms about meeting a person, dating them a few times, and then delving into a sexual liaison. Sometimes it is with someone they do not even know. In this era, being impartial to whom you share yourself with is truly dangerous. It is, however, a reality amongst society's young adults today. Many feel that a relationship only adds to the pressures of being in a place where independence is offered on a silver platter. Dealing with school, parties, dorm activities, and work makes maintaining a balance quite difficult. Seeking solace in another's arms for a few hours seems harmless.

Or does it?

One thing to understand is that history can lead the way to many different situations. A person's history involves their choices, the choices made by their partner, the emotional tangles, and other experiences that influence present decisions. For this reason, getting to know a person and being smart about your choice will save you from so many complications down the line.

Here's another question.

Does talk of S.E.X. involve just the act or something more significant like its connection to love? Can a relationship thrive on just sex?

The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Relationships of an intimate kind can include sex, yet there are so many other aspects to consider such as having someone who supports, cares, and complements the person that you have become. Granted, being in a relationship does take work, but it seems to me that it could be much more fulfilling in the long run.

The point I want to make is this:

Make sure that the decisions you make in the realm of sex are your smartest ones. How you behave in any area is a reflection of who you are. Represent yourself in a dignified light and understand the real meaning of sex, its worth, and how special it was meant to be.

Today, college campuses everywhere are open to providing students with lectures and other activities promoting sexual awareness (much to the horror of many parents). I'm all for this idea. Let's just hope that lessons can really be learned and the preservation of self is the end result.