Essay "Sex Without a Condom is the new Engagement Ring," Causes Stir
By Aleesa Mann -- Black College Wire
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Entertainment
"This is like I set off a fire alarm or something, really it just went haywire," he says almost incredulously. "I love the fact that people are talking about it. I love the fact that people are disgusted by it and I love the fact that people who aren't of the demographic I surveyed, actually agree with it."
Many Howard students have also shown support for Harshaw's essay. "His essay really does make a valid point and raises the question about the meaning of sex to our generation," says Joya Dupre, junior biology major.
Dupre feels students may be weary of traditional engagement practices, and marriage altogether, because of increasing divorce rates. Yet, considering the risks of sex with a condom Dupre said, "So many couples today are engaging in unprotected sex but not getting engaged. In fact, they believe that sex without a condom is less risky than tying the knot, when in actuality it isn't."
Brandon Williams, a junior international business major, also feels Harshaw's essay gives voice to a rising sentiment among youth.
"When I look at the younger generation behind us I see that what they hear, see and learn they attribute to their daily lives," Williams says. "Marriage is just as common as divorce now, so for a younger generation to feel safe they may say that unprotected sex lets them know how committed to the situation [a] love interest may be."
Aleesa Mann writes for The Hilltop, the Howard University student newspaper, which originally published this article.
Many Howard students have also shown support for Harshaw's essay. "His essay really does make a valid point and raises the question about the meaning of sex to our generation," says Joya Dupre, junior biology major.
Dupre feels students may be weary of traditional engagement practices, and marriage altogether, because of increasing divorce rates. Yet, considering the risks of sex with a condom Dupre said, "So many couples today are engaging in unprotected sex but not getting engaged. In fact, they believe that sex without a condom is less risky than tying the knot, when in actuality it isn't."
Brandon Williams, a junior international business major, also feels Harshaw's essay gives voice to a rising sentiment among youth.
"When I look at the younger generation behind us I see that what they hear, see and learn they attribute to their daily lives," Williams says. "Marriage is just as common as divorce now, so for a younger generation to feel safe they may say that unprotected sex lets them know how committed to the situation [a] love interest may be."
Aleesa Mann writes for The Hilltop, the Howard University student newspaper, which originally published this article.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Kris
posted 9/04/08 @ 3:10 PM EST
First, everyone is allowed to do whatever they want but I question the critical thinking skills of anyone in 2008, engaging in unprotected sex.
I'm outraged that just by my ethnicity that it's assumed by the CDC and others that I may be HIV positive. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:59 AM EST
Kris,
It's not about race. It's about risk. The two happen to be hopelessly intertwined due to cultural attitudes toward unprotected sex and birth control. (Continued…)
Rob
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:00 AM EST
Let me tell you from my own personal experience, sex without a condom does not equal commitment. Take it from one who employed that philosophy and had it come back to bite him. (Continued…)
James
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:05 AM EST
I myself PERSONALLY don't engage in extramarital sex and didn't even tongue kiss my wife until i had a ring on her finger. It's up to you what you do with your life and most do not have our self discipline but seriously, the way my generation treats sex is a GIGANTIC step backwards in human society. (Continued…)
Sonny
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:10 AM EST
Oh good, because now that we've taken care of AIDS, HIV and all those nasty STDs, kids should be able to have all the unprotected sex they want.
Plus, what better method of birth control than pulling out and crossing your fingers? I mean, it's not like it only takes once to get knocked up. (Continued…)
Nancy Tungston
posted 9/05/08 @ 10:29 AM EST
I'm 53, I agree to an extent. Not so much that it is an engagement ring, but maybe a "going steady" ring. With HIV being epidemic, a smart person uses a condom even though they are using alternate forms of birth control. (Continued…)
Ben
posted 9/05/08 @ 11:29 AM EST
I agree. When me and my boyfriend decided to go bareback, it was certainly a night to remember. While not technically a cream*pie* per se, it was definitely quite symbolic of our love, especially since we cannot get married in this state. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 9/05/08 @ 12:18 PM EST
I think unprotected sex between two committed people that have both tested clean of STDs and are using alternative methods of contraception is perfectly acceptable. (Continued…)
Jenna
posted 9/07/08 @ 4:05 PM EST
I think this whole thing is an absolute outrage. Just the thought of having sex before marriage is just out of the question. Has the human race really fallen this much that we are trading in our time honored traditions for different sexual escapades? I just don't understand. (Continued…)
Narkissos
posted 9/08/08 @ 12:19 AM EST
A very interesting read personally.
It's always enlightening to see how others view these things.
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