Follow Up: Responding to Rachel

In attempting to synthesize these texts, the theme of education was unanimous. I believe the way sex education is being taught or not taught in this country is playing an enormous role in our overtly sexualized teen population and the aggressive rape statistics of young adults. While these authors all allude to the need for better sex education, the proposed content of such education is not discussed. While most shocking is the movement to teach abstinence only or nothing at all, it is important to analyze how sex education is being taught, even in the most liberal of institutions.

Levy’s discussion of abstinence brought me back to last year’s “I Heart the Female Orgasm” lecture. The speakers and the audience discussed how different sexual relations might be, both on an intimate and violent level, if sex education actually taught students how to have sex. Although this may seem obvious, students are given such little information, that they have no other recourse for “learning” than to absorb content in the media or watch porn. The problem with this approach is that the entire concept of sex as a personal and pleasurable experience is lost. Instead, students feel the need to replicate what they see on TV only because it means bragging rights.

Imagine how different things would be if sex education taught students how to masturbate. Or, more to the point, how to love and enjoy their bodies. This is such a crucial component of any sexual relation, yet because it is ignored most kids grow up believing their bodies and sex are something to be ashamed of. If sex were not presented as such a mysterious and scornful act, I doubt we would see the same amount of “swifter” girls.

On a more serious note, the fact that aggressive, demeaning sex is so rampant in the porn industry teaches that that kind of sex is the status quo for all sexual relations. I cannot help but draw the connection between the power trips men take on porn sets to the power seeking desires of a rapist. Not only could sex education do a better job of teaching our students about their bodies and reproductive functions, it could dismantle the horrifying trend of sexual assault.