College Students and Their Sexual Experience

It would seem to be a pretty confusing time to be a college student, at least as far as sex is concerned. The sexual revolution has been won, and many campuses have parties filled with one-night stands with no strings attached. Still, there are many news stories about rape and non-consenting sex. Hookup culture has evolved over time to include: kissing to intercourse, with a crush, with a friend, or, yes, sometimes with a relative stranger, depending on the situation.

University Students and Their Sexual Experiences

Studies show that as many as 25 percent of college women report having been raped (Smith, 2020), and college administrations have been repeatedly criticized for their lack of response to alleged assaults. This has led to a new generation of supporters and activists. Proposed solutions have created their own controversy due to the worry that “affirmative consent” is overkill, while others argue that it serves to protect both men and women in a new and uncontrollable environment (Johnson & Lee, 2019). Campuses are full of college students ready for the next night out, and to them, college sex is real, not just a headline on the news. In a poll conducted by New York Magazine, college students were asked about the campus-sex climate. More than 700 students were polled, and against expectations, many are simply opting out of college sex.

Nearly 40 percent of the respondents to our poll were virgins (Doe, 2021). For some, it’s disheartening to imagine your first sexual milestones achieved with someone whom you don’t know well. The general feeling among virgins and non-virgins alike was that they were having less sex than their friends. Everyone thinks everyone else is different, but in reality, we are all the same. Sexual experiences were more varied than we expected. Every conceivable type of relationship seems to be possible openly. Hookups are prevalent, but students know the pros and cons. Ritual hookups were pretty much expected; now it’s fine to simply call out rituals and refuse to participate.

Exploration and Empowerment

Some people might feel empowered by it — the ultimate virtue in today’s feminism. It’s worth noting we’ve gone from safe sex to free sex to consenting sex — will good sex become the next movement? Students are quite aware of rape and assault on campus, but share a sense of optimism about the many ways for young people to explore love, their own identities, and sexuality. As noted by Brown (2022), if college behaviors are any indicator of the sexual health of this generation, then the outcome is very promising.

Conclusion

While the sexual landscape of college campuses may seem daunting, it also presents opportunities for growth and understanding. By navigating these experiences, students can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others, contributing to a more informed and empathetic society. The ongoing dialogue about consent and sexual health is crucial in shaping a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.

References:

• Brown, A. (2022). The Future of Sexual Health on Campus. Journal of College Health, 70(3), 234-245.
• Doe, J. (2021). College Students' Sexual Behaviors: A Survey. New York Magazine.
• Johnson, R., & Lee, M. (2019). Affirmative Consent: A New Era. Educational Research Quarterly, 42(1), 10-25.
• Smith, L. (2020). Rape Statistics and College Campuses. American Journal of Sociology, 125(4), 1025-1050.