The people have spoken on the issue of whether or not Mississippi State students need a sex column in their newspaper, and for that I couldn’t be happier. However, many of those respondents weren’t students.
I received approximately 50 letters to the editor regarding the subject, a few of which were published in last Friday’s edition. An overwhelming majority of those letters suggested, demanded or begged that The Reflector not consider starting a sex column, as it would be detrimental to the readers and encourage a revolution of premarital sex and debauchery.
This is disheartening. It may be that we weren’t clear in our editorial or that many of our readers see sex as a taboo. To clarify, we were considering (if the students wanted it) a sex column that would neither encourage nor discourage people to have sex, as we feel this is a personal decision, but inform those that are active about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy and other health and emotional issues associated with sexual activity. And as statistics show, MSU could benefit from that information.
According to data provided by the Longest Student Health Center from a 2005 survey, more than 50 percent of MSU students entered the university having already been sexually active. Due to the center’s policy regarding patient confidentiality, an exact percentage of students who are currently or have been sexually active was not revealed, but the answer provided was “significantly more than 50 percent.”
Another statistic the health center provided should raise concern. Approximately one-third of MSU students have participated in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol who say they wouldn’t have otherwise.
This is, simply put, scary. Less inhibition means higher vulnerability for contracting STDs, becoming pregnant and being emotionally scarred. Nobody wants these things to happen to themselves or their fellow Bulldogs. This is why it’s important to inform our readers about sex.
One good point made from a letter I received is that it’s not just students who read The Reflector. Alumni, faculty, staff and the Starkville community, including adults, teenagers and children, turn to our publication for information and insight.
Some may not find a sex column beneficial to their lifestyles, and others do not want their young children reading about sex, which is completely understandable.
But consider our intention. It wasn’t to create a smutty or tasteless column, but rather one that students, growing adults, could benefit from.
We want to be a progressive publication, one that our readers turn to and trust. The only way we can do that is by listening to those readers, and from the feedback we’ve gotten, a sex column isn’t something they want. Therefore, it wouldn’t make sense for The Reflector to start one.
For those seeking sexual health information, one health center representative suggests using Columbia University’s Health Q&A Service, www.goaskalice.com.
We encourage those who would find a column beneficial to speak up about why they think so. The best way to have your words heard is by a letter to the editor.