Last month, the “Blow job” article squirmed its way into the Daily Sundial, grabbing the attention of students and faculty all around CSUN campus. The negative reactions that have spiraled out from this may have to do with the article’s lack of clear intentions, important statistics and useful facts helpful to sexually-active college students.
The author of the opinionated article spoke of her literal distaste for oral sex quite openly in regards to her experiences with her boyfriend of over four years. Not only did she list the reasons why she does not perform oral sex (“afraid of swallowing” as being one of them), but she also did not address the serious psychological and emotional damage from being pressured to give oral sex in a relationship and how that affects a grip of students on campus.
Instead of writing a frivolous article about personal insecurities, students on campus would benefit more from an article focusing on date rape. According to the National Survey of Sexual Violence on College Campus in 1988, only 27 percent of the women whose sexual assaults met the legal definition of rape, thought of themselves as rape victims. Even more surprisingly 42 percent of college women who are raped tell no one about their assault. Unfortunately, the percentages have significantly increased since then.
Now by no means am I concluding that the author of the article was in anyway, shape or form sexually harassed by her boyfriend, but she even admitted, “Recently my boyfriend has been pressuring me into giving him a blow job.” The risks of feeling pressured to perform any type of sexual activity is a growing problem and can lead to severe consequences, which is what the article should have touched bases with.
By definition, rape is any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person. Date rape is specifying that the victim is dating the person who rapes him or her. When it comes to sexual relationships among college students, it is easy to get wrapped up in the idea of wanting to constantly please your partner, quite possibly in hopes of that person returning the favor. However, studies show that sex is truly enjoyable and healthy when the partners all give consent for it to happen.
The article could have had more of a positive effect on CSUN students if solutions to being pressured to give oral sex had been actually addressed. The article also highlighted other student’s opinions of oral sex and whether the issue is prevalent in their relationship or not. Majority of the responses that came from female students said they do not enjoy performing oral sex for many different reasons.
Instead of bashing the male genitalia and offering, quite often, too many excessive details, risks of performing oral sex should have been highlighted at least once in between the negative opinions. According to www.aids.about.com, “Millions of teenagers become infected with STD’s such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and herpes each year and oral sex is a route by which teens are becoming infected.” College students are constantly reminded to practice safe sex, yet there are so many students right here on CSUN campus that have unplanned pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases.
The article would have received much more positive feedback if details to counseling office hours on campus regarding sexual assault would have been listed. Even more importantly, students that are truly affected by the issues of performing oral sex in relationships without their consent, would have felt support from a fellow outspoken student, and possibly found help.
Realistically, the author of the article might have started off with good intentions in hopes of reaching her fellow peers, however, a lack of statistics, facts, and important information delayed the point. According to a professor in the Journalism Department, “The article should’ve targeted the readers of the Sundial who are sexually-active and need facts as opposed to personal experience.” I can’t say that I could agree with her anymore.
