Much of our poor public sexual health outcomes in America can be traced back to a societal view that sex is dirty, wrong, and immoral. Since sex has such a negative connotation when discussed by politicians, teachers, and parents, young people feel ashamed or fearful of using protection. European countries that are more open about sex have MUCH lower teen pregnancy rates, STD rates, and abortion rates. But how open should a society be about sex?
Puttenham, England. A small town outside of London with about 2,500 residents. It is known for the number one place to have public sex in all of Europe, partly because the police and government don’t really want to stop it. From The New York Times:
“There were two blokes sitting side by side, watching a man and a woman having sex,” Ms. Perkins said, describing what happened as she strolled with her dog on the hill between her house and the Hog’s Back ridge. “Nearby, there were two men sunbathing together, wearing nothing but tight little white underpants.” Later, she found a pink vibrator in the bushes. Puttenham is also famous for being featured on lists of good places to go “dogging” — that is, to have sex in public, sometimes with partners you have just met online, so that others can watch. So popular is the woodsy field below the ridge as a spot for gay sex (mostly during the day) and heterosexual sex (mostly at night) that the police have designated it a “public sex environment.
When I read this funny and fascinating article, I did not really know what to think. I encourage you to check the whole thing out at nyt.com. On one hand, I totally respect the openness that many have towards sex and think that overall being sex positive is a good thing. On the other hand, many people having sex in public near schools, parks, and restaurants is weird, and perhaps ultimately an unhealthy way to engage in sexual activities.
As we move into an era where fifty percent of the worlds population is under twenty-five, and we young people begin to enter positions of leadership and power, we will undoubtedly see a shift in values about sexuality here in America and around the world. I am hoping this shift will be one from our current far right conservative values to more healthy, open, progressive values. It is important to be open about sex, sexuality, etc, but some things cross the line. My question is where do we draw the boundaries?
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