OPINION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
5A FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2008
COMMENTARY
Viagra's message dilutes female sexuality
We live in a time when talk about sex education is more in-vego than getting educated, because doing so means talking in detail about what it means to be sexually active. Sex education is a topic that is debated among many demographics, and we have all received — in one manner or another — the "wrap it up" talk. But as it comes time to apply this knowledge as sex becomes part of our lives, we are left to figure out the details on our own.
An enormous deterrent in effectively educating about sex is the gender double standard regarding the social acceptability of being openly sexual. The most striking example of this double standard is in commercials that we so easily dismiss.
An oral contraceptive commercial for Yaz stars three beautiful women at a cocktail party name-dropping chemical compounds, one of whom was able to attend because of the effects of Yaz. They are relieved that Yaz can control menstruation and reduce the effects of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ("a mood disorder related to the menstrual cycle").
Many women take the pill for these reasons, but contraception is still a touchy subject in the realm of commercial advertisement. As a result, many men and women are missing the point of birth control and are only receiving a portion of the bigger picture. Men and women need to be honest and learned about the purpose of birth control, because the drug that so many women take for various reasons is about something bigger than our own bodies.
Birth control was first approved for use in 1960 for the purpose of contraception. The number one purpose of the drug is in the name, and by ignoring its intended purpose, we are ignoring the fact that, although many women take birth control for health issues such as acne, muscle cramps and heavy cycles, birth control was created to allow for sexual freedom.
The Yaz commercial brought this idea to the front of my mind, so I went to Viagra's Web site to hunt down a commercial relating to men's sexual activity. A video of a group of men who seem to have set up a secret jam session in a decrepit barn start to play music as the site appears. They grin and croon a bluesy country ditty about being crazy for their women, and the commercial ends with the chorus: "Viva Viagra."
The point of this commercial is sex, blatantly. It's simple and honest from the old acoustic guitars they
play to the grins on their faces as they shake hands before going home to the fiery women they sing about.
The idea that men can be openly sexual while women are still talking about their means of sexual freedom (birth control) in terms of their periods is shocking. Although birth control is a totally legitimate and widely used drug amongst women who want to be more in control of their menstrual cycle and its other effects, these reasons are simply afflictions alleviated by the side-effects of a drug intended to prevent pregnancy.
If we want to educate our generation and those after us about being sexually active, it must be without this double standard. This means being ingenuous about you and me being sexual creatures, even if you are not currently sexually active.
Tradition holds strong in the media and general public that women cannot be open about sex. We must address this double standard critically to realize the effects it could produce for our bodies and in our lives. No progress will be made as long as women are advertised as "virginal", and not given the opportunity to express their own sexuality. Protect yourself, respect yourself, have fun and talk about it.
Ryan is a Salina junior in art history.
Max Rinke
>> GUEST COLUMN
A frozen theory of graduation
RYAN SCHWARZENBERGER
I've posited a theory which I think carries with it a substantial amount of logic, especially for those who reside in the residence halls, resting at the feet of Daisy Hill and Mount Oread. This theory can also apply to the residents of Naismith Hall. Heck, anyone who treks up Mount Oread, or the Hill, from the south side can empathize. I'm sure.
The theory is that, during the bleakest of winter months, one can measure his or her ambulant progression upward into the North wind that bears down upon him or her from the top of Mount Oread without having to rely on conventional methods of mapping a journey such as counting one's steps or using visually recognizable landmarks to gauge where one is.
"How?" you might inquire. "Quite simply," I say. The distance traveled up the Hill is proportional to the amount and length of teardrops that have frozen alight your temple as a result of the sheerest of North winds cutting across your pupils as you squint defiantly toward your destination. I quickly learned this trick during the month of January in 2004, the commencement of my first semester at KU. Using this theory, traversing the south face of the Hill was a breeze, pun intended. I could reach Spencer Art Museum from Olivier Hall, ambling into the fiercest of North winds, in a personal record 11 minutes and 33 seconds without breaking into a jog.
This semester, I embark upon the final voyage of my undergraduate collegiate career. This is
the final turn of the longest lap.
the final turn of the longest lap.
Since that cold January of 2004, I have walked a lot, learned a lot, socialized a lot and matured a lot. My eyes have faced the nastiest North winds, my mind has encountered the most daunting of doubts, and my heart has weathered the harshest of heart-breaks. The broadest spectrum of emotions has run its course through my veins during the past four years. My weathered face no longer bears the burden of North winds like it once did those four years ago. Sometimes now, I find myself looking northward and smiling as nature relishes the rare opportunity to punish my eyes once more.
But I say unto you, it is worth all the while and all the while it is worth it. Last week, I began the paperwork to complete my application for graduation. I shall graduate in May with two degrees, a feat accomplished in only four and a half of the shortest, longest years of my life. Before I end this collegiate loquency, I feel it necessary to impart some short words of wisdom: Don't buy a bus pass. Those frozen teardrops you acquire on your walk will melt once you get inside, and for that they will be the sweetest emblem of victory you will ever taste should you decide embrace your potential to its fullest and reach the summit of this Hill in the most unforgiving of winters.
Ryan Schwarzenberger is an Overland Park senior in political science and sociology.
COMMENTARY
'08 election offers voters a chance for change
I feel that times have changed. Finally people in this country are beginning to wake up and realize that the safe proud vision of America we used to know has all but disappeared. It's up to us as
Super Tuesday is an exciting day for voters in Kansas. Being affiliated with the Democrats, it is the one election where I feel like my vote counts for something. As students we have
a people to unite behind one candidate who has the ability to bring about that change; Barack Obama.
What I am looking for in a candidate is someone with a good heart who will lead this country powerfully but honestly. I have researched Barack Obama. I have read his speeches, followed his progress, watched him very carefully and he come to believe in him and his ideals. He's original and charismatic and smart. Imagine getting ready for a presidential speech and being hopeful and excited rather than anxious and worried that the leader of our country is going to misinterpret a word or make one up. As for the people who say that he is too young to and inexperienced to lead, suppose all the young people of the past who had made a difference in this world were silenced. What kind of world would we live in without the
taxes or how we come by health care for ourselves and our future families. This election matters for us, and I am not going to sit back and let the rest of the country decide my future for me.
a duty to represent ourselves and our future, and how we vote directly affects everything in our lives as we become self-sufficient adults. Whether it's how much we pay for
In the spirit of equality, change and forward progress, envision with me a president who hasn't been sculpted by the robotic hands of Washington.
revolutionary influences of Martin Luther King, Jr., John E. Kennedy, Thomas Edison, Imanuel Kant or even Jesus for that matter.
peoples of the world, to be at peace and not a slave to big corporations and oil-grubbing tycoons. Perhaps the revolution needed now is a different, modern kind of revolution. Maybe all we need is a revolution of thought within ourselves, to see the path has been laid for us, right our wrongs and better this fine country.
In the spirit of equality, change and forward-thinking, envision with
ne a president who hasn't been sculpted by the robotic hands of Washington, a president who truly wants to see this country be the ideal country it used to be. To regain respect from the other countries and
Simmermon is a Leawood senior in journalism.
Obama Supporters:
A Petition for Congressman Dennis Moore to Endorse Obama
When?
Monday, February 4
at noon.
Why?
If you would like Congressman Moore to endorse Barack Obama.
Where? How?
http://www.thepeditonsite.com/1/CongMoore4Obama
Information from http://www.baracko
bama.com
>> FREE FOR ALL
Visit Kansan.com and add the Facebook application, "University Daily Kansan," to start contributing.
It's funny how "high schoolish" some of you act. If you hate KSU, then you need to get a freaking hobby boss. It was a name, just a name.
--about it.
--about it.
Is this really what it's going to be? Basketball whining for the next two days?
Go State. You chumps lost, and you are just mad. Go use your dad's money and buy yourself a new car. Besides, it was a basketball game.
Isn't it just a basketball game? Who gives a shit? Now, if it were a duel to the death, then let's all take notice and cry about it.
I hear that the University of Kansas is more classy than Kansas State University.
--younger brother
I am reading through these posts and I hear a bunch of rich Johnson County kids that are crying because you got beat fair and square. Suck it up.
--younger brother
Since when has KSU been our main rival? Last time I checked, Mizzou was the one we hate the most, and K-State is like the annoying, spiteful brother.
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I have to say, I am proud of my Kansas State friends. I rubbed it in their face when we beat them at their stadium for football, but I have yet to have last night rubbed in my face.
ahhhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh
hhhhhhh
Props to them
--are
--are
Now who got a cigarette for Doctor Roxo??
2:22 I cant sleep. Cuddle buddy?
--are
Free For All, tonight I'm going to cry myself to sleep after the game
I'm not gonna lie, I'm not being classy about this at all. This is a rivalry.
What a bitch move Beasley:
Dancing on the table? Thanks
for reminding me why I go to
KU, where the classy people
TALK TO US
Darla Slipke, editor
864-4810 or slipke@kansan.com
Want more? Check out Free For All online.
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Dianne Smith, managing editor 864-4810 or dsmithi@kansan.com
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CONTACT US
SUBMISSIONS
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The Kanan reserves the right to edit, cut to length, or reject all submissions.
For questions about submissions, call Bryan Dykman or Lauren Keith at 864-4810 or email dykman@kansan.com.
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THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Members of the Kansan Editorial Board are Darla Slipke, Matt Eickson, Dianne Smith, Bryan Dykman and Lauren Keith.
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