Black Collegian News & Views

In a time where technology allows sexual images to be readily available with the click of the mouse, today's generation is exposed to sex on a regular basis. It becomes extremely hard not to wonder what all the excitement is about in a society that thrives on sex, and sexuality.

Many young people feel that premarital sex is no longer an option because of the influence mass media has on their lives. The benefits of abstinence are not held in the same respective light as they once were generations ago.

So how does one cope with handling the pressures of remaining a virgin until marriage? Furthermore, is premarital a worthwhile commitment, or is sex the inevitable choice?

A few years ago a national study in "The State of America's Children Yearbook" randomly surveyed 2,314 high school students across the nation. It reported that 55% of the students surveyed had sexual intercourse with another student in their high school. Seventy-three percent say that the reason they engaged in a sexual act was due to the social pressure.

For many young people in college, it's twice as hard to remain faithful to one's moral commitments when it comes to sex. Brad Bradford, a freshmen Mass Communications major at Xavier University said it's a hard battle, but one worth fighting. "In a parallel world where sex is an obsession, a marketing tool even, it's difficult to remain abstinent. It takes will power, and God's help, but it is definitely possible."

Of course there are college students on the opposite end of the spectrum. They feel that there's nothing wrong with sharing that level of intimacy with someone you care about deeply. "If you love someone, and it's a joint decision to give yourselves to one another, then it's fine," said Nyron Fauconier, a junior at Xavier University.

Eventually, the choice of abstaining from, or engaging in premarital sex is a personal choice. Virginity is not a shameful state, but a precious gift. Those who choose to have sex should be aware of the consequences and repercussions of having sex. It is important to stay true to whatever moral values, and self commitments one has.

One must be prepared to accept all consequences, and repercussions of that come with being sexually active. Responsibility is the key factor for both perspectives.