Let’s talk about sex
November 21, 2007
Jillian Snyder
In 1948, biology professor Alfred Kinsey released his book Sexual Behavior in the Human Male—a lengthy study on the sexual practices of men. Kinsey’s book caused an uproar in American society. A professor at the Indiana University, Kinsey was the subject of several objections as to the quality of his research, the results of his findings and, most significantly, the moral grounds of what became known as the Kinsey Reports. However, regardless of the grounds on which Kinsey did his research, he achieved something revolutionary: bringing the issue of sexuality to the surface of a society that largely ignored it.
While Mars’ Hill is no Kinsey Report, the openness of sexuality on the grounds of almost any conservative Christian university might be comparable to American society before the release of Kinsey’s book. For the most part sex—or rather individual sexual practice—remains outside of the conversation perhaps due to a prevailing fear of punishment coupled with the risk of social ostracism.
For example, I recently discussed the notorious silence surrounding female masturbation with a friend who graduated from a Christian liberal arts university in Indiana. She noted that the only other conversation she had concerning this topic at her university was during a tangent that occurred in a women’s Bible study in which almost all of the attendees openly admitted that they had never discussed the topic of masturbation in public. Outside of that conversation, my friend’s only other public exposure to this topic was Sex in the City.
This topic was also addressed by several of our female respondents who took the sex survey. One student wrote, “The church really needs to speak up about sexuality. I have only really ever heard, ‘Don’t have sex until you’re married and don’t think impure thoughts.’ Well, what about masturbation? This is never talked about among women, but it is a struggle! What about pornography? What about general sexuality? We’re all sexual beings - it’s not all about sexual intercourse. “
In an interview with Nurse Michele Regehr at Trinity Western University’s Wellness Centre, she shared what her experiences as both a nurse in acute care in Alberta as well as a wife taught her in regards to sexuality. Regehr affirms that sexuality is about, “making a conscious decision. You can’t just assume you know what you’re going to do when you get there.” She adds that, “I think having the conversation is great because […] sex is a part of life and sex is a great part of life, but it can be destructive, which is not what it was intended to be.”
In light of this, sexuality should not simply be dismissed. It has a powerful impact upon almost every aspect of life. However, fear of punishment and social shunning is enough to students keep quiet about their sexual practice. The questions of: “how far is too far” or “is masturbation permissible” become abstractions rather than applicable questions. Such silence then leads to perceptions that do not always align with realities.
The issue of sexuality at TWU is not a new one either. Past issues of Mars’ Hill were riddled with questions concerning student sexuality and practice. This is why we have compiled questions comparable to a survey performed in March 2001 (Vol. 5, Issue 11) by Mars’ Hill on sexuality. The first survey featured 153 student answers. Our respondents numbered at 321. Also included is a survey given last spring by the Wellness Centre that examines students’ assumptions concerning their peers’ perceived sexual practice as compared with actual practice.
What follows is by no means meant to be the final word on sexuality. For instance, it’s difficult to determine how many students currently masturbate when the question of masturbation did not distinguish between past and present practice. However, what we do see, both seven years ago and now, is a disconnect in belief and action. Along with that is the fact that we at TWU are sexual beings. This should not surprise us; rather, we should be surprised when sexuality is the last part of ourselves that we acknowledge. That issue alone is well-worth discussion.
Now you go...
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