Society ignores consequences of sex

  Adrian Haymond If you’d like to express
your disgust, feel free to contact Haymond at [email protected].
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It would seem somewhat cruel to prevent a woman from having some
say over what to do with whatever goes on in her body.

On the other hand, the optimal time to decide whether to have an
abortion is not when a rapidly growing embryo has established a
form of life. The decision to create a life should be made prior to
that point. Unfortunately, this decision is treated in an all too
cavalier manner by young and old alike.

The sex urge is arguably one of the strongest human desires
““ and it should be. Without it, humanity would not be able to
procreate effectively, especially with all the activities that
constantly vie for our attention.

Many reject the conservative advocacy of abstinence and embrace
the gratification that comes with sexual liberation.

The media pushes these exploits on various levels in
commercials, mainstream films, music videos, men’s and
women’s magazines (Maxim, Cosmopolitan), TV shows (“Sex
in the City”) and of course adult entertainment in its many
manifestations.

All of these emphasize the pleasure of sex. But what has not
followed is a serious discussion of its possible consequences,
leaving people at a definite disadvantage if the
“unspeakable” occurs: pregnancy.

In some cases, such discussions are not actively encouraged,
prompting young people to experiment for themselves. Those who
enter college are expected to be sexually astute, if not already
sexually active.

The pleasures of sex are communicated to others through parties,
discussions among friends, personal relationships and even the
bathroom stalls. Until the fateful moment, many do not think of the
consequences. And by then, it’s often too late.

Added to this is the advent of effective condoms, which have
substantially reduced the “risk” of unwanted pregnancy.
With this protection also come feelings that encourage reckless
actions and promiscuity.

Many students think that they must “try it out,”
“be a man,” “feel like a woman,”
“show that I love this person,” “keep my
reputation.” Babies are only a passing thought, like a
nightmare that has been banished to the inner recesses of the
mind.

With this impunity comes a feeling that abortion is yet another
option to prevent unwanted children. Our sexual freedoms increase,
but our sense of responsibility over our own bodies decreases
substantially.

Therein lies the disturbing reality of freely exploring the
limits of sexual pleasures.

In the past, the thought of having a baby scared many people
into being extremely cautious about having intimate relations.
Those who were not so cautious were looked upon, justly or not, as
irresponsible hedonists.

Today, we have the “morning-after” pill, the latex
condom, the early-period abortion, the late-period abortion, and if
carried to full term, the help of relatives in raising a child.

All kinds of excuses can be made for not taking care of
pregnancies and children. Some are quite valid, such as forced
intercourse. But the validity of other reasons is a little more
doubtful, such as the fear that the child will be disadvantaged for
life.

While it is true that the attitude toward sex used to be highly
oppressive and extremely uninformed, it seems that today’s
attitude has swung to the opposite direction, toward a loss of
accountability and responsibility.

Today, relationships have become vehicles for people to go from
one conquest to another. Now the challenge is trying to finding the
biggest sexual organ, the most outrageous orgasm and the longest
high.

Many people even take “test drives” to see if
someone is fit to spend their lives with; if the experience does
not suit the person, then another person is sought, with no regard
to the other’s feelings.

The college freshman, who was at least somewhat controlled by
the pressure of parents in high school, suddenly receives
uninhibited freedom upon entrance into college. Among these
freedoms is the lure of sex whenever and however one can get
it.

While many have been ingrained with values that erode somewhat
slowly (if at all), others act as though they couldn’t wait
to “bust out of morality jail” and fling themselves
into enjoying sexual liberty without thinking of the
consequences.

Mind you, this is not saying that sex is wrong in itself. Sex is
important for two reasons: procreation and the binding of two lives
into one. If students follow these reasons for having sex, they can
ensure responsible relationships and loving families.

However, if students are not ready to start a family and/or
enter into an intimate, lasting relationship, then sex is merely
for the sake of pleasure. The results of this irresponsibility can
have disastrous results for all involved.

Rather than waiting until conception to decide one’s
future, the discussion and choice should be made prior to
committing the act that can conceivably decide our destiny.

Before sex, choices exist; but after intercourse, the emotions
at stake narrow the choice.

Better to make that choice voluntarily before being forced into
it by the presence of a growing life that ““ regardless of
whether it lives or is aborted ““ will always contain a part
of both creators.