OPINION
The PRESSURE
Sex of
“Fifty Shades of Grey" highlights the pressure for girls to engage in sexual behavior that comes from the media, boys and society’s protrayal of love. THIS EDITORIAL REPRESENTS THE VIEW OF THE LE JOURNAL STAFF. TWENTY OUT OF 21 VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS VIEW.
The lights are off. The theater is dark. Everyone sits extremely still trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves in fear they will see someone they know. Some even slouch in their chairs. Some teenagers snuck into the movie. Parents came because they secretly enjoyed the books. “Fifty Shades of Grey” is the type of movie most are embarrassed to see and even more embarrassed to like. Not because they secretly think Jamie Dornan is attractive or that they were somehow rooting for Dakota Johnson to be happy in the end. But because it would mean that deep down the masochistic movie, designed around one of the most unhealthy relationships ever, wasn’t off putting. And that scares them. Sex can be a controversial topic. It makes people squirm and cringe, but it is the reason that everyone on the planet is alive. However, this movie created a relationship based solely on sex, with a signed contract to dictate behavior. As high school girls, there are expectations in every relationship. Some expectations are from you, your partner and from society. The pressure to be sexually active is evident today, but it can and should be combatted. The first challenge to combat the pressures of society lies in the media’s presentation and the media’s portrayal of relationships. Today’s movies and television drive the sex conversation. Innuendos and graphic scenes are common in all movies from “Annie” to “DUFF” to “50 Shades of Grey.” These scenes and movies give girls false views about sex. It is portrayed as casual and
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exciting. Or as spontaneous and natural in every relationship. This shouldn’t be the case. Relationships should not be all about sex. It is an intimate act that shouldn’t be had on a whim. Plus, a relationship is much more than that. And there are repercussions from treating it casually such as loss of self-respect, unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Although teens represent only onequarter of the sexually active population, they account for nearly half, or 9.1 million, new cases of STIs each year, according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute. Peer pressure is also a factor that needs to be combatted. It may seem like everybody around you is doing it. The truth is, girls and boys talk about sex more than they actually have it. But sometimes teens feel pressured to engage in it. Twenty-three percent of females feel pressure from their friends to have sex according to teens.lovetoknow.com. Some believe that if they don’t have sex they will be ostracized by their friends and peers. The thought of being “left out” or “behind” others can be enough for girls to pursue this avenue in a relationship. But according to womenshealthmag. com, the third most common sexual regret women have is moving too fast. Having sex is a something that is permanent. Don’t make it a regret. Another obstacle to combat is getting into an unhealthy relationship. Pressure from the media and peers can be intimidating and lead girls to make a decision they regret, but pressure from a partner can have a lasting impact. According to healthychildren.org, 70 percent of women who had sex for the first time at the age of 16 or younger wished they had waited longer for their first time. A loving partner would not expect you to do something you weren’t ready for. So if a partner pressures you, he does not love you. For women, the biggest sex woe is having lost their virginity to the wrong person, according to recent research published in the “Archives of Sexual Behavior.” In some cases a person may even use verbal or physical abuse to force a woman to do things she doesn’t want to. Other times a partner may use the excuse that they will dump you if you don’t do what they want. These types of actions aren’t healthy for the woman or the aggressor. Although glamorized in characters such as Christian Grey, no one should ever put their hands on your body without your permission. Any hesitation is enough to warrant a no. The pressures for girls to have sex isn’t a new issue. From the beginning of time women’s sexuality was used as an object to be taken. Today the pressure has been magnified. There is scarcely a television show, movie or even an advertisement that doesn’t have sex portrayed. It is either a selling point, the prize or something to be bragged about with friends. It is everywhere. Letting the media, your partner or peers dictate if you have sex isn’t healthy. Be the girl to talk to your parents about sex. There is nothing wrong with that. Also know your boundaries and your body. Look for the warning signs of pressures such as making you feel bad about wanting to wait or physically hurting you when you say no. Every relationship is different and every person is different. Women don’t have to be the “submissive” to another Mr. Grey, or to the type of movie sex symbol many women in society portray.
MENINISIM
TAKES TO
The Meninism movement started with parody tweets that have sparked a reaction from Sion students and women around the world.
