Sleeping around is just another remixed phrase for the word promiscuity. A new pop song sweeping the airwaves today captures the thought precisely, “You might be the type if I play my cards right, I’ll find out by the end of the night” (Promiscuous Girl, Nelly Furtado). There was a time when having sex was thought to be restricted to married couples only. That time has passed and the dawn of promiscuity has arisen. Yet, in spite of the AIDS epidemic, a survey stated that one in four college students has had six or more sexual partners in their lifetime (fyf.ifas.ufl.edu). The effects of sleeping around cannot only be seen through the spread of STDs and unplanned pregnancy but also wounded emotions and broken hearts. However, some say sleeping around can benefit your pleasure principles.The risk of harming your health is the major concern with having multiple sex partners. Kashundra Wright, a pre-med freshman majoring in biology, said, “Sleeping around is not safe because of disease.” Junior Altus Carter felt the same and explained the consequences of sleeping around as “degrading to your character.”
Aside from physical damage that can happen to your body there is a moral issue with sleeping around. Religion, especially the three major monotheistic faiths, has clearly defined that men and women consummate their relationship after marriage, not before. However, this nation, which is 76.5 percent Christian, has over time justified pre-marital relations (adherents.com). Antonio Barnes, a junior majoring in political science, said, “Your reputation is affected” when sleeping around.
The lone ‘yes, it is OK to sleep around” was found in University College. A freshman, name withheld, majoring in business management, said, “as long as you know how to manage your sex partners” it is okay to engage in sexual activity with more than one partner. The key word is “manage,” which can have many meanings but taking responsibility and making sure all sexual partners are tested is important.
Thelma Pierre, Prairie View’s senior administrator of health and counseling services at the Owens-Franklin Health Center, said, “Every individual should be very mindful of his or her responsibility to their body.” Not taking care of your body can hurt you emotionally, physical, and physiologically according to Pierre. Contrary to the belief that Prairie View is infested with STDS, Mrs. Pierre said those claims were rumors. Ironically more students get tested regularly here than at any other HBCU campus, Pierre said.
If you are not sure about your sexual health, the Health Center is administering free HIV tests throughout the semester. The campus will have a health fair Oct. 19 and AIDS Awareness Week starts Dec. 1. Whether you feel it is or is not OK to sleep around, getting tested is pertinent to promoting a healthy lifestyle.