Challenges to get personal, not physical

NOTE: This was my first column to write as the Editor in Chief of the Apache Pow Wow at Tyler Junior College.

Welcome to the college life! The life that is so commonly associated with late night parties, drinking, and sex. Yes, I said it, "sex." 

So many students nowadays are sexually active that it has become more and more socially acceptable to just about everyone.

According to the 2005 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 46.8 percent of all high school students report that they have had sexual intercourse.

With this in mind, how many college students are sexually active and what are the emotional effects of rushing into any type of relationship? 

It has been my experience that when hooking up with someone you barely know or just met, and only engaging in a physical relationship, things get turned upside down and you are left feeling empty and without anything to look forward to. 

This is why I believe it is important to get to know an individual before deciding to date, or engage in sexual activities with them. All too often we rush into a relationship in order to make ourselves feel complete and secure, but instead we are left hurt, broken and alone. Not to mention premarital sex increases the chances of becoming pregnant and of getting an STD.

"One in five people in the United States has an STD. Two-thirds of all STDs occur in people 25 years of age or younger," said Ken Chisholm, contributing author to LiveStrong.com

Now don't get me wrong, this is not the case 100 percent of the time. It doesn't happen to everyone. Some people are lucky enough to find their perfect match right off the bat and some are smart enough to use protection. But I have seen and experienced my share of quick hook-ups and this happens too many times to say that it doesn't happen often.

Sex is meant to be a special and treasured connection between two people. It's not something that should be categorized into the 21st century standards of "instant gratification."
This semester I challenge you to evaluate yourself and see if you are one to rush your relationships then find yourself wondering 'What on earth was I thinking?'

Maybe it's time for a break from sexual activity and time to find contentment with yourself as a healthy single. Challenge yourself to get to know people and make a true connection before diving into something physical.

Published 2/5/10