In stereotypical college life, sex has become a pillar stone. With recent statistics of sexually transmitted diseases in not only America, but in the entire world, sex education has become one of the most important and controversial topics.
In the recent growing debate concerning abstinence-only and contraceptive sex education on a national level, college students find themselves amidst conflict.
The Bush administration has recently approved doubling the funding for “abstinence only” programs to $170 million in 2005.
In “The Content of Federally Funded Abstinence-Only Programs,” a recent report prepared for Rep. Henry Waxman of California, 11 of the 13 abstinence-only programs miscalculate the effectiveness of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, exaggerate physical and emotional distress and wrongly state scientific fact.
“Even if you have a program which tells students not to have sex every day, and advocates abstinence programs,” said Katie Doherty ’05, “it’s still not going to delay the onset of sexual intercourse. You need to tell kids about diseases, the problems it can bring. But you need to give kids all the facts and remind them that abstinence is important.”
Courtney Stier ’05 agreed.
“Abstinence-only programs are not effective and do not give adolescents the proper knowledge to make informed decisions,” she said.
“When it comes to the subject of abstinence, people have to decide for themselves which position they plan to approach,” said FUSA president Paul Duffy. “We have all been taught the reality of being abstinent or choosing not to be.”
“However, still many people need to be taught the reality and effect that it has on their own individual lives,” he added.
Yet for many students the decision to be sexually active or abstinent remains a personal decision.
“You can have your boyfriend or girlfriend come for the weekend,” said Doherty, “and not have mom or dad ask you keep your door open.”
“Coming to college affects your decision making. It comes down to a personal choice and belief,” she added.
Other students agreed that with college comes added responsibilities.
“I believe that once you are eighteen years old, you are responsible for your own decisions since you are classified by many as an adult,” said Duffy.
Stier shared a similiar opinion.
“You rely on yourself more to make a decision in college,” she said. “You will have to deal with the consequences, good or bad. You realize that in college, nobody is hanging over you making the decision.”
Whether students are sexually active or abstinent, Fairfield offers numerous programs for support like Counseling or Wellness and Prevention for support.
Gary Nelson, director of the student health center, said, “The student health center is a resource on campus where students can come for accurate information on medical and sexuality issues. We meet students ‘where they are;’ i.e. whether or not their behaviors are consistent with Catholic precepts.”
Many students have complained that the health center does not offer condoms or birth control.
“We are aware of disparities between Catholic doctrine and certain medical developments,” Nelson said in response. “We acknowledge to our students that there are some medical treatments we are unable to provide because we are a Catholic institution. This includes providing birth control.”
“If you feel there is a larger need for more information to be distributed,” said Duffy, “then I recommend that you bring this to the attention of the new student health advisory council that is developing.”
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