This week is Sexual Responsibility Week at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Health Education Department is holding a campaign event until Friday to promote sexual awareness among college students.
This event is not intended to condemn sex but rather to encourage “being responsible,” said Jennifer Snyder, marketing coordinator for the Health Center.
The department is distributing condoms and informational pamphlets, which include topics on abstinence, STDs and birth control.
“It’s for your own health and protection,” Snyder said. “There are a lot of diseases that can be transmitted sexually. If you’re not using a condom, and your partner has a disease, that can affect your life forever.”
However, not all believe in the use of contraceptives.
Emily Chloupek, a senior English pre-med major, is against the use of birth control like condoms.
Instead she endorses the way of natural family planning. In this method, women monitor their own bodies’ cycles. Since women only ovulate a few days out of the month, avoiding sex on these days, she said, is a highly effective method of natural birth control.
“Sex is not just for a person’s pleasure but for procreation. I don’t think you can separate procreation from sex,” Chloupek said.
In college, the risks for STDs are always high. While natural family planning can help prevent unexpected pregnancy, STDs are almost certain without condoms. Chloupek cites abstinence as the only way to completely avoid STDs.
“Ultimately, I do believe in sex after marriage,” Chloupek said. “Sex is pretty much the most intimate thing we can do with our bodies.”
The emotional ramifications of sex are also a cause for concern, she said.
“A lot of people don’t like to hear that abstinence is the only answer,” Chloupek said.
While UNL is not discrediting abstinence, it recognizes that people need other options. Abstinence is the most effective method of birth control and STD prevention, but the Health Education Department thinks that not all people will follow this method. With Valentine’s Day coming up, this is especially concerning.
“We’re not saying you can’t do it,” Snyder said. “We’re just saying think about the consequences.”
aubreycummings@dailynebraskan.com
10 comments
"Since women only ovulate a few days out of the month, avoiding (s word) on these days, she said, is a highly effective method of natural birth control."
...I'll continue:
"Typical use, which refers to the average use, shows a failure rate of approximately 25%." Effectiveness rates are in the 90% range in fertility awareness is practiced religiously (no pun intended).
It is NOT just so simple as avoiding (s word) on the "few days out of the month" when a woman is (o word, rhymes with movulating). Buyer beware on this particular piece of advice!
Test test test.