Sexual responsibility week coincides with Valentine’s Day
Everyone knows today is Valentine’s Day, but a lesser-known event coinciding with the holiday is Sexual Responsibility Week.
Not every relationship is a sexual relationship, but a healthy sexual relationship, like any healthy relationship, begins with values, communication and knowledge.
First of all, individuals need to determine their own personal values with regards to engaging or not engaging in sexual activity and honor the choices of their partner.
Not everyone chooses to have sex. Some people abstain from sex to avoid any risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Some choose to abstain because of beliefs or values or because they simply are not ready. Remember, abstinence is the only 100 percent way of not becoming pregnant or acquiring an STI.
Some of the values of a sexually responsible college student include:
-Understanding sexuality is a natural and healthy aspect of human life.
-Communicating personal thoughts and feelings to one’s partner and seeking to know and understand a partner’s thoughts and feelings.
-Working to achieve consensual, healthy relationships through valuing the rights and limits of self and others.
-Being non-manipulative and only practicing safe and mutually consensual sexual behaviors.
The “rules” for a healthy relationship are the same, whether the relationship is sexual or not.
In a healthy relationship, each person is valued and respected, his or her feelings and opinions are affirmed and personal safety and freedom are assured. Healthy relationships include:
-Respect: Listening to and valuing your partner’s opinions, feelings and goals.
-Trust: Not being jealous or possessive.
-Shared decision making: Using negotiation and communication to make decisions together.
-Open communication: Communicating in an open and honest way.
-Non-threatening behavior: Talking and acting so your partner feels safe and comfortable.
Unhealthy relationships can become abusive relationships. Usually abuse in relationships does not come out of nowhere. There are warning signs that may indicate your relationship is heading for trouble, including a partner who:
-Hits, punches, kicks or shoves you.
-Tries to isolate you from friends and family.
-Behaves violently or gets mad when you talk to other people.
-Abuses alcohol or drugs and pressures you to take them.
-Makes all the decisions for you and does not care about your thoughts and feelings.
-Is controlling and possessive.
-Will not accept breaking up or stalks you after you have tried to break off the relationship.
There is help for a person who is in an abusive relationship. Some of these agencies include: NDSU Counseling Center (231-7671), Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo (293-7273), and Campus Police (231-8998).
NDSU Student Health Service wants students to be knowledgeable about their reproductive health and birth control options. The “Choices Program” provides information about the most popular and current contraceptives available.
If needed, this knowledge can help students and their medical provider decide on the most appropriate birth control option.
For more information on the “Choices Program,” visit http://wellness.ndsu.nodak.edu/education/contraception/index.shtml or contact Student Health Service at 231-7331.