2008 Woodie Awards
Safe sex?
Greg Collins, Collegian Columnist
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
"To the left, you will see the Student Union, representing one of the most vibrant and diverse student bodies in the country. On the right, you will see, uh, a collection of tents organized by Trojan Condom, an aspect of UMass Amherst's comprehensive safe sex education program."
I could just imagine what tour guides were thinking of saying as I saw them lead prospective UMass students around campus last Wednesday. This was on the same day that the popular condom company, Trojan Condom, parked an 18-wheeler in the middle of the library lawn, with its huge company logo capable of being seen from far away. Trojan Condom set up tents on the grass, where bananas representing penises and condoms were in plain sight of passers-by, including tour groups.
This display, authorized by UMass Health Services and the administration, was deeply offensive. Sex is a topic best left to be discussed in private environments, such as between children and parents, patients and doctors, and clergymen and church-goers.
Why? First and foremost, sex is a serious act with serious consequences for those who do it irresponsibly and for those future human beings who will be born as a result from this irresponsibility. It goes without saying that the possible consequences not only include contracting venereal diseases, but they also include being forced to quit school in order to support a child and having to raise a baby in a fatherless household.
Given these realities, the question begs - does modern-day safe sex education, including public school teaching of contraceptive usage, university promotion of public condom displays and the general portrayal of sex in a light-hearted manner, actually work? That is, have out of wedlock births and STDs decreased due to safe sex education? In general, do teenagers and college students make more responsible sexual decisions after being exposed to comprehensive sex education?
I have issued the challenge in the past to University Health Services and VOX, Students For Choice on campus, to reveal data demonstrating that modern day safe sex-ed has a direct impact on the reduction of STDs and out of wedlock births.
I could just imagine what tour guides were thinking of saying as I saw them lead prospective UMass students around campus last Wednesday. This was on the same day that the popular condom company, Trojan Condom, parked an 18-wheeler in the middle of the library lawn, with its huge company logo capable of being seen from far away. Trojan Condom set up tents on the grass, where bananas representing penises and condoms were in plain sight of passers-by, including tour groups.
This display, authorized by UMass Health Services and the administration, was deeply offensive. Sex is a topic best left to be discussed in private environments, such as between children and parents, patients and doctors, and clergymen and church-goers.
Why? First and foremost, sex is a serious act with serious consequences for those who do it irresponsibly and for those future human beings who will be born as a result from this irresponsibility. It goes without saying that the possible consequences not only include contracting venereal diseases, but they also include being forced to quit school in order to support a child and having to raise a baby in a fatherless household.
Given these realities, the question begs - does modern-day safe sex education, including public school teaching of contraceptive usage, university promotion of public condom displays and the general portrayal of sex in a light-hearted manner, actually work? That is, have out of wedlock births and STDs decreased due to safe sex education? In general, do teenagers and college students make more responsible sexual decisions after being exposed to comprehensive sex education?
I have issued the challenge in the past to University Health Services and VOX, Students For Choice on campus, to reveal data demonstrating that modern day safe sex-ed has a direct impact on the reduction of STDs and out of wedlock births.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 50
Phil S
posted 10/07/08 @ 6:56 AM EST
Hey buddy,
Haven't you got something better to complain about? Keepin that VCard in check huh?
brucey
posted 10/07/08 @ 9:53 AM EST
this isn't the 1960's. stop playing dungeons and dragons and go get laid.
Kathleen W
posted 10/07/08 @ 9:59 AM EST
Greg is not complaining he is just stating facts.
Greg said;
" First and foremost, sex is a serious act with serious consequences for those who do it irresponsibly and for those future human beings who will be born as a result from this irresponsibility. (Continued…)
Lindsay
posted 10/07/08 @ 1:16 PM EST
I can't believe how skewed your facts are. It has been proven time and again that sex-ed works. Scare tactics, and abstinence only programs have failed horrible. (Continued…)
Dustin
posted 10/07/08 @ 1:26 PM EST
I'm a little confused on the way he seems to refer to babies being born out of wedlock as an issue. I think the issue he means is "unplanned pregnancy". (Continued…)
Nicole Collins (Greg's sister)
posted 10/07/08 @ 6:24 PM EST
Editorials like this are an annual favorite of Greg's- complain about sex infiltrating the "public sphere," corrolate trends that really weren't meant to corrolate, and end with some good ol' moral condescention. (Continued…)
Samantha Collins (Gregory's other sister)
posted 10/07/08 @ 8:07 PM EST
"Everything about the world is sex- And it's a message, of popular culture- Telling all our children how to do it right" (Dishwalla)
Gregory, it is impossible to take sex out of the public eye. (Continued…)
Ana
posted 10/07/08 @ 9:35 PM EST
I think this is hilarious, I am live in Utah and for many reasons had to go to school in Orem which is the capital for crazy kids quoting scriptures because they're so religious. (Continued…)
HLM
posted 10/08/08 @ 12:14 AM EST
Wow.
I have NEVER seen two sisters come on board and rip their own brother a new one. Great stuff.
Greg, you have written the same column for the last two years . (Continued…)
LIBRUL
posted 10/08/08 @ 1:07 AM EST
GREG Y R U SO STUPID Y DO U HAFTA GO TELLIN PEOPLE HOW 2 LIVE Y CANT U JUST LIVE N LET LIVE LOL U KNO JUST LET PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY WANT EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE LOL PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY GOOD AND SEX IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR EVERYONE AND WE HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE SEX WITH WHOEVER WE WANT AND WE HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE AS MUCH SEX AS WE WANT ITS WRONG TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON HUMAN APPETITES EXCEPT FOR FUEL, FOOD, SLEEP, AND WEALTH GREG GO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE ANYONE I DONT CARE WHO HAVE SEX WITH SOME GUYZ EVEN FOR ALL I CARE LOL CUZ WUT U DO DUZZNT AFFECT ME LOLOL LMAO U R STUCK IN THE PAST ITS NOT 1950 LOL LOL
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