When one thinks about college life, the obvious may run through one’s head, like studying, partying, relationships and, yes, sex.
It’s very common that sexual behaviors increase in college. However, students coming into college have already experienced some type of sexual acts.
According to an Erin Cross and Rustain Morgan article, the most common age that high school students are losing their virginity now days is 14 or 15.
Most incoming freshman have some sexual experiences behind them, but how educated are they about having safe sex and what types of dangers are out there when having unprotected sex?
In high school, many schools do not provide students with the proper sex education classes.
However, President Bush wants to have abstinence-only programs, which do not teach safe sex, held in public schools.
This topic has been debated for quite some time and many people oppose abstinence-only programs at public high school because they are unsafe and by having students learn about the program it will blur the line between church and state.
Abstinence-only programs are something supported by most religions.
Government money used to go to an organization called “The Silver Ring Thing,” a Virgin Pledge program that sells a $15 ring to teenagers and have them take a vow that they will remain a virgin till their wedding night.
Earlier this year the funding for this organization was stopped until the organization was able to show proof that it separates the abstinence message from any type of religious ties, whatsoever.
However, safe sex is widely encouraged at Cerritos College. Cerritos has courses on human sexuality and programs where student can learn about practicing safe sex.
On campus Student Health Services provides all sorts of medical help and information for Cerritos Colleges students.
“(Protection) is very important because I don’t want to catch a STD or get anyone pregnant,” Brandon Nevens, business management major, said.
Vanessa Moreno, business major, agreed.
” Yeah, it’s important to protect yourself.”
The SHS provides “health education, free condoms, mental health counseling, community resources, health fairs with community health agencies,” explained Charles Gale, director of Student Health Services.
Sex isn’t necessarily why people decide to go to college but the opportunity to have sex is out there.
Moreover, sex will come knocking at your door more than once during the college years. However, colleges do provide their students with the correct information in having safe sex.
“Sexual behaviors are different for those who go to college as compared to those who do not. College grads are more accepting of various sexual practices and are more tolerant of those who are sexually not the ‘norm’ (such as gays, lesbians and transsexuals),” Dianne Pirtle, Human Sexuality instructor, stated.
“Approximately 70 percent of college students engage in sexual activity as a result of being under the influence of alcohol,” Pirtle added.
The SHS provides contraception as well. “We offer a variety of birth control pills (like) the Patch (Ortho- Evra),” Gale said.
Health fairs occur frequently on campus and condoms and brochures are given out about contraception, safe sex, HIV, AIDS and STDs. These fairs are put together to help inform students about safe sex.
The SHS also carries the Morning After Pill for a price of $20. Other clinics and pharmacies it can cost up to $65 or more.
However, there is one pill that the SHS doesn’t provide. The abortion pill, otherwise known as RU-486, is not carried by the SHS. The SHS will forward a student to another clinic where that pill is provided.
RU-486 is a pill that is taken before the pregnant women enters the eighth week of her pregnancy. The woman takes a pill and often a small procedure takes place afterwards.
The SHS also provides STD and AIDS testing for students, as well.
“We screen for several different STDs and when a referral is appropriate we will do so. We have identified numerous community health agencies to serve our campus community,” Gale stated.
He also mentioned that the SHS has a contract with Charles Drew University to provide free HIV and STD testing on campus in their mobile van that visits the campus from time to time.
Another controversial topic in regard to having sex, is abortion. Just this past week voters were able to decide on whether or not parent should be notified when their underage daughter is having an abortion.
Had voters decided to vote yes on Proposition 73 last week, it would have required parental notification for underage abortions. Although this proposition didn’t pass, abortion still remains controversial.
It remains controversial because of religious beliefs and moral beliefs as well.
“I have a little girl of my own, and I was brought up where abortion wasn’t an option,” Sandra Pelayo, child development major, explained.
