ATTENTION!!!!! EDUCSXPTNS IS NOW A WEBSITE!!!!!!

Hello friends!!!

Educationsexpectations is now a WEBSITE!!! HOOOORAAAHHH!!!

Please go HERE where all your education sexpectations will be met!

Once Upon a Condom: A contraceptive’s tale

So I read this article on social change and the sexual revolution and discovered SO much about the origin of contraceptives. I have decided to write this in the form of a fairytale… as we all know condoms are like enchanted fairies in that they protect us and bestow majesty onto our lives.

Ahem: Once upon a condom…

Once upon a time, in 1900 to be exact, premarital sex was frowned upon. If one was to frolic in the bed with another, approximately “71% of females would have gotten pregnant (had they engaged in sex for a year at normal frequencies)” (Greenwood & Guner, 2010, p. 905). Good Lord, the townsfolk said. Let us change this so that by 2002, these odds will drop to 28%.

Thus, the “contraception revolution” began!

Once upon a condom, venereal diseases were the main concern in regards to premarital, unprotected sex (Beck & Earl, 2003; Greenwood & Guner, 2010). Back in the day, condoms were used for STI purposes rather than for pregnancy. HOWEVER, condoms were damn pricey in the 1900’s being around “$34 a dozen relative to today’s real wages” (Greenwood & Guner, 2010, p. p. 905). JESUS a townswoman screamed. I KNOW another townsperson shrieked, agog at this craziness. Bitch please.

In the 1930’s, a miracle occurred: this miracle was named the latex condom.

This miracle greatly reduced cost and greatly increased quality. Hmmm… BIRTH CONTROL, WHAT A GOOD IDEA!!!!

All of a sudden, other methods of birth control started POURING out of the sky!!!

In 1960, “The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of [the pill], which was a remarkable scientific achievement involving the synthesis of a hormone designed to fool the reproductive system” (Greenwood & Guner, 2010, p. 906). BWAHAHAHAHA reproductive system, screamed the pill. You just got PUNKED!!

The townspeople, and the rest of the world, soon discovered the power of knowledge and how knowledge about reproduction and contraception is super important and VITAL in safe sexual practices and sexuality in general.

In 1914, the modern birth control movement began with a badass named Margaret Sanger who published a pamphlet on birth control and opened the first birth control clinic in 1919 (the first operational birth control clinic was in 1923). Sanger promoted birth control even though the police got super pissed at her for being all liberal and prosecuted her for her awesome innovation. Assholes.

The birth control movement was HUGE, making information about contraception incredibly available and easily accessible. Eventually, the condom became super popular and now it is the most popular method of birth control; its use actually increasing over time!! The role of the condom in safe sex SIGNIFICANTLY impacted pregnancy rates, “declining pregnancies among teenagers during the 1990’s” (Greenwood & Guner, 2010, p. 906).

The increase in condom usage was ALSO influenced by formal reproductive health education!!!!!! Claps. GOOD JOB CONDOM!! Way to educate people. I’m so proud of you. Sex ed continued to expand during the 1990s into the beauty it is today. It continues to expand. EXPAND MORE!!!!

So the moral of the story is condom failure rates have declined from 45-14.5% due to technological advancements and increased knowledge about its appropriate use (Greenwood & Guner, 2010). Also, the pill rose to become the most effective form of contraception when it was introduced in the 1960’s, showing the importance of education.

Together, condom and pill are a power team of unbeatable awesomeness…aka neither of them are 100% effective, but the reliability has increased with awareness and innovation.

Well done team safe sex.

Fin.

References:

* Greenwood, J. & Guner, N. (2010, November). Social change: The sexual revolution. International Economic Review, 51(4): 893-923.

Key issues in secondary education (2003). In Beck J., Earl M. (Eds.), (2^nd ed.). London: Continuum.

*Math and sex ed? Love it. For the quantitative in you!! Most of my information came from this source. Thanks fellow sexual health promoters!

Stay safe, with condoms

Kids, sex, sex, kids.

So I'm writing my thesis and I keep coming across the same preachings:
Talk to us about sex!!!
We speak, we listen, we hear, we know, we see, we deserve!!!

People of the internet, I just don't get it. For why?!?! For why people are dismissing sex education to youth?!?!

Dear parents,
You know how your daughter went to that sleepover? You think she's watching Snow White?! Bitch please. *
You know how your son likes to take long showers? You think he's washing behind his ears?! Twice?!?! Bitch please.

You know condoms? You think kids think they are balloons?! Bitch please.

You know puberty? You think it's a synonym for anatomy?! Bitch please.

You know how school is JUST what they [teachers] teach and not what happens anywhere else?! It isn't! Bitch please.

You know how ignorance is bliss?! Bitch please.

Knowledge saves lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Educate youth. Educate them now. EDUCATE DAMN IT!!!!

Educate, and then celebrate, with chocolate cake, (and a condom).


Stay safe, sexually speaking

*I'm not suggesting that she is watching porn, but possibly something rated PG13, 14A? Restricted even? Sexually explicit material? Your ass knows it.

I am the best option!!! Options for Sexual Health news

The greatest thing to ever happen ever has JUST happened. I just received a phone call from the president of OPT saying:

"Congratulations Sarah, you have been awarded the title of Options for Sexual Health volunteer of the YEAR!"

CHEERING!!!!!!!!!!

WICKEDDDD!!!! So on Saturday, October 22nd, there will be an annual general meeting and an awards ceremony where I will be praised for my efforts and additions to sexual health education!

DREAM ACHIEVED!!!!!!

I'm SUPER psyched and honoured to be awarded this delicious award; however, buses and prices pending, I may or may not go...
I will get the certificate regardless, but I am unsure of my status next weekend...

Nevertheless, WICKED, no?!??!!

Stay tuned for a picture of my certificate, condom demonstrations, and some details about how OPT's community events have been going in the town I currently reside.

SO EXCITED!!!!

Stay tuned, sexually speaking
--Sarah Award-worthy Bryant

The MEDIA and its all-consuming, disturbingly influential power

Teen Mom: A popular show on MTV that I frequently watch for entertainment and research purposes.
Jersey Shore: A popular show on MTV that I am ashamed to say I frequently watch… for entertainment and “what not to do” purposes. 





When I first caught an episode of Teen Mom (the second season), I was on the fence as to whether it a) glorified teenage motherhood by putting ill-informed decision making on television and essentially making parenting look easier than it is, or b) depicted the reality of the challenges and struggles of growing up as a kid raising a kid. I was leaning more towards (a) at the beginning of my watching, but now that I have seen a season and a half, and watched the episodes with Dr. Drew and the “16 and Pregnant” series, I do believe that shows like Teen Mom could be seen as multimedia presentations of sexual health education.

Here’s the thing that bugs me about it:

On the show, the girls say things like “well, at least my child loves me”, etc. Having a baby is not a good way to have love in your life. First of all, don’t you love yourself? Second of all, if you want something that loves you, get a dog. Dogs love everyone! If you don’t think you can handle a dog, get a fish.













Here’s the thing that I like about it:

The show’s cast is a group of girls who all fall under similar categories: They misused birth control, they are struggling to complete and pay for college, they have lacking or unhealthy relationships with the fathers of their children, and they are essentially stressed out. I mean, we all get stressed, but imagine being 17 or 18 years old and stressing about yourself, your finances, your education, AND your child and all the business that is involved with him/her! I admire women who can raise children at a young age, but we should not be advocating for this. None of these teen mothers have said (at least not in the episodes I have seen), “oh I planned to have this child at 16 years old”. I couldn’t imagine it, to be honest. As much as I love babies for very short periods of time when they aren’t screaming, hellllll no. At 18 years old, I could barely take care of myself! Quite some time has passed and I feel the same way!!
On Teen Mom, there is also a couple who gave their child up for adoption. When comparing this teen mother to the ones that opted to keep their children, one can see that there are options that can positively influence your life, such as adoption.

So Teen Mom is an interesting show that talks about teen pregnancy and the realities of raising a child as a young adolescent. At the end of each episode, a website is shown that gives facts and tips on how to be in control of your sex life: www.itsyoursexlife.org! <3 Also, while I’m praising websites, let me throw down my favourite www.sexualityandu.ca ! Both websites are great and I strongly encourage you to go here, regardless of who you are. YOU are a sexual being; therefore, YOU need to know how to control your sex life!

Here’s the thing that bugs me more:

MTV, I love you. You are good for a laugh and you play some stupid shows that I just can’t get enough of. You do, however, play a show that goes out of its way to show me everything I shouldn’t teach someone about sexual health education. How do you do this? With an eccentric gem of a show called Jersey Shore. Despite the fact that I watch this show, I follow the complete opposite of what they preach (guys: sleep with everything that moves; girls: drink a lot and put out). The reason I think it is okay for ME to watch this show is because I am an adult who is educated and aware of her sexual rights and responsibilities. Younger individuals, however, are heavily influenced by the media, and so when I hear that a 13 year old watches Jersey Shore, I cry tears of blood and fear.

SOLUTION:
Do I think MTV needs to get rid of Jersey Shore? Not necessarily. I like my mindless television programming. What I do think needs to be done about Jersey Shore is to give it a rating of at LEAST 14A. 18+ even.
There is way too much careless drinking and sexing on this show to make it okay for children to be influenced by it.
I just hope they use condoms.


ANOTHER SOLUTION:

Here’s a better idea. How about the cast of Jersey Shore advocates for LifeStyle condoms? Every person in the world would use a condom if players like the guys on Jersey Shore used them! I think all celebrities should advocate for birth control. You bitches have so much power; use it wisely! Much like charity fundraising and the like, MTV stars should advocate for birth control and not drinking and driving. That’s ONE thing Jersey Shore does right: I never see them drink and drive. They always hop in a cab. Thanks friends.





Arrive alive,
don’t drink and drive!!



So Teen Mom is awesome for educating about birth control by promoting www.itsyoursexlife.org at the end of the show, and Jersey Shore is not so awesome because of sexualized gender stereotyping that COULD negatively influence our youth.

Sarah’s words of wisdom: The things you see on television are meant to entertain you. Don’t let the media guide all of your decisions, especially if they revolve around sex. Let educated sources and credible experts help you make your own. Also, use condoms. And spermicide.

Menstruation is still a sensation!

The Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health is a website about the history of menstruation and focuses on topics surrounding women's health and positivity in the inevitable experiences in a woman's life.

I am on the Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health website!!!

I recently submitted my article about the beauty of periods to a website that embraces menstruation. The website editor evidently enjoys my writing and published me on the site!
My name will be known!!! There is also a link to my blog at the bottom of my essay. Brill. Thanks dude. I appreciate the publication.


Summary: Periods are inevitable. Enjoy them.

The purpose of my article is to address growth and development in a sex positive way. My thesis encourages advocating the positivity of sexuality, so I thought this was relevant. Also, I can’t get enough of the period. .___. I mean...



Stay safe, sexually speaking.
--Sarah Always ultra pads Bryant

Masturbation: The MASTER(s thesis) of self-love

Greetings friends. So I recently made a pretty solid decision that after I preach the wonders of sex-positive comprehensive sexual health education via my Masters of Arts in Education thesis, I would like to continue my changing the world at the hand of research and try for a Masters in Sexuality Studies at San Fran State University! I looked up the program, and it's like looking in a mirror.

Anyway, I was pondering what to focus on, and the only logical conclusion I could draw was to focus on autonomous sex and safe sexual practices. Aka, masturbation and its glory.
So is it just me, or is this not a perfect cover letter to send to SFSU? *see below for the majesty*

Dear SFSU,
I am a current graduate student at UBC Okanagan. Please allow me to come to your school and sit in the library happily researching the happiness of safe sex. Here is a snippet of my passion:

WHY is masturbation frowned upon? WHY! WHYYYYY!?!?!?!?! WHHYYYYY?!?!?!

Amidst my glorious research on the taboos and challenges within sexual health education, I have drafted a series of questions that I, as I am sure you also, ponder.

If masturbation is a safe sexual practice that poses no threat to the individual (threat in this case being unwanted pregnancy or an STI), then why is it something that schools are so afraid to teach?

If masturbation is a healthy way to explore one’s body, then why is it seen as shameful?

If men are wasting their seed, what are women doing that is ‘wrong’?

Shouldn’t everyone have the right to touch his/her own body?

What’s so ‘bad’ about masturbation?

What’s so bad about teaching, informing, and exploring issues surrounding autonomous safe sex (masturbation, cybersex, fantasy)?

In short, masturbation is fantastic. You want kids to avoid STIs and unwanted pregnancy? Encourage, embrace, educate about, and enjoy MASTURBATION!

Alternative means of sexpression: Enter CYBERSEX

Sexual expression over the internet... thoughts? It's fair game. Here are some realities about the wonderful concept that is cybersex.

Healthy alternatives are necessary in order to meet the needs of all individuals. Much like the meat and alternatives food group, which encompasses more than just ‘meat’, sexual health education should discuss more than just heterosexual intercourse. Advocating for healthy alternatives promotes inclusive classrooms that adapt to a wide variety of student needs. This article looks at alternative means of sexpression for youth by focusing on an easily accessible form of sexual expression: internet sex, or “cybersex”.

Using the internet as a means to sexpress: Cybersex and beyond

What is cybersex?
Cybersex is a sexual encounter that takes place entirely via the internet, often in a chat room or through instant messaging (Sexetc.org, 2010). Cybersex is a way to privately live out one’s fantasy without in-person social interaction. Using cybersex as a form of fantasy is an autoerotic behaviour over the internet in which only words and imagination are the stimulus. Cybersex is a safe way for teenagers to express themselves without the physical harm of sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy.

Tell me about the internet and cybersex. Okay! The internet is a limitless space, like one’s mind; however, the internet is more harmful in that one can be exposed to all kinds of unhealthy sexual expression, like violent images, sexual violence against women, child pornography, and other dangerous sex websites (Creed, 2003). It is thus important to monitor and regulate internet use in young individuals who are using this medium of communication. As long as cybersex remains a type of sexual fantasy, it is a safe behaviour that relies on words and imagination for pleasure.

Are there limitations to cybersex?
Although cybersex is a healthy form of autoerotic sexual expression, one cannot ignore the significance of physical contact and body language in intimacy. Shouldn’t we teach youth that physical intimacy is pleasurable? The Canadian guidelines for Sexual Health education suggest that a healthy sexuality encompasses the teaching of behavioural skills and socialization that includes physical intimacy and healthy relationships (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008). This definition suggests that physicality is important in healthy relationships and thus cybersex is not an intimate, personal, shared experience because it limits contact and distances people rather than brings them together. Healthy physical contact or physical intimacy such as kissing, caressing, cuddling, and other forms of tactile stimulation emphasize healthy sexual expression (Rathus, Nevid, Fichner-Rathus, & Herold, 2010). The guidelines also stress the importance of physical intimacy and healthy socialization in relationships, indicating that cybersex alone is not a satisfactory way to communicate intimately.

Who uses cybersex?
A hell of a lot of people; however, marginalized individuals, specifically, often find comfort in the internet medium: “for many individuals, the Internet constitutes an important avenue for healthy sexual pursuits….[The Internet] might prove very useful for homosexual adolescents, physically/mentally challenged, shy individuals” (Philaretou, 2005, p. 81). The unknown distance of the person one is talking to on the internet provides a sense of security in shy individuals (Rathus et al., 2010).

So is cybersex good or bad?
The issue of comfort and feeling free to express oneself is a positive characteristic of using the internet for sexual purposes. ***Please note for your safety, always use caution and do not give out personal information over the internet. Also, you should be over 18... just my opinion, but it's true***

Dependency on the internet can be positive or negative, but there is no doubt that technology has become a primary filter for information, including sexual knowledge: “Internet sex is more than just the use of a modern medium for sexual ends; it is more a reflection of today’s fast-pace social life characterized by individuality, impersonality, materialism, and social isolation” (Philaretou, 2005, p.80). This critique of the use of internet for sexual means suggests that it inhibits socialization and necessary physical components of interaction. Physical interaction, which more often than not works in conjunction with emotional closeness, is a necessary skill for young people who are learning about sexual expression through many filters.

What are other alternatives?
Other ways that teenagers could gratify themselves sexually is through foreplay, visual stimulation, other autoerotic behaviours such as masturbation through fantasy, and reading erotic novels. These forms of sexual expression omit the ambiguity factor that comes to play in cybersex where one cannot be sure who he or she is communicating with. Despite limitless possibilities and vulnerabilities surrounding the internet, cybersex is a safe way for individuals to express themselves sexually without the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. As long as it does not become the only means of sexual expression, cybersex can positively impact one’s sexuality.

References

Creed, B. (2003). Media matrix: Sexing the new reality. Australia: Allen and Unwin.
Philaretou, A. (2005). Sexuality and the Internet. Journal of Sex Research, 42(2), 180-181. Retrieved from PsycINFO database.
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2008). Canadian guidelines for sexual health education. Ottawa, Ontario: Public Health Agency of Canada.
Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., & Herold, E. S. (2010). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (3rd ed.). Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.
Sexetc.org. Sex, etc. “What is cyber sex or phone sex? How do you do it? Is it safe?” Rutgers University. 2010. http://www.sexetc.org/faq/sex/899. Retrieved 3 Feb 2010.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen. Cyber it up! It’s you and the keyboard.

Who's thinking of the children? I know I am!!

Ladies and gentlemen,
Buckle your seat belts and hold the phone because this is so exciting even YOU might raise an eyebrow. Yours truly has just received her very own copy of Our Schools Our Selves the Spring 2011 edition. Cool.

Yes, it's cool. What's COOLER is that on page 71, my article on student-centred sexual health education is shining beneath a picture of me looking QUITE academic!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know. Seriously.
So I'll give you a brief synopsis of what I argue and then leave you in SUSPENSE!!!

First of all, this is an incredibly awesome and progressive journal about policy change in Canada. Beautiful read. I read the sex education edition and kind of fell in love. Twice.

So my article is called "Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children? Promoting student-centred sexual health education". *sigh* Take a moment to love that... there.

Here's a picture of it:

Isn't that gorgeous? Oh yes. I can't even handle it.
There's another picture above. Oh it's so awesome.

So I'm essentially advocating FOR comprehensive sexual health education BECAUSE it is student-centred and focuses on the learners (the students) instead of other biases. The students need to know information relevant to them, so I argue that let's LISTEN to them and feed off of their questions in order to sculpt a better curriculum. I suggest a couple of ways to do so by pointing to some research that has worked well; for example, anonymous question boxes. Do this.

Anyway, I'm excited. I will talk about this article (and reference myself like a cocky narcissus) later. I will also post about my trip to England where I again advocated for STUDENT-CENTRED LEARNING through collaboration! Yaaaaaaay.

Stay safe, sexually speaking.
Yours,
the published sarah

One lay, two day, three way, foreplay

Dr. Seuss said it best when he rhymed Sam and ham and all that jazz. It just makes sense, doesn't it? Rhyming is fun, hence the title of this article; however, I did not make this article rhyme. That is a goal for another day.

One of my dear friends asked me to publish something about foreplay, so I did. I aim to please. Here is the article as it was published in UBC Okanagan's school newspaper, The Phoenix. Enjoy!
More to come! Forgive me, I've been in Europe both adventuring and boasting about my research. A blog will highlight the sexual health fun soon time! :)

--Sarah

http://www.thephoenixnews.com/articles/45718

ECP - for emergencies only DAMN IT!!!

This article is dedicated to those of you who are smart in your sexual options. It is not dedicated to those of you who are haphazard and lazy whenst sexing. Be smart. Be aware. Be safe.
Here is the original ECP article I wrote for the newspaper last week. Bask in its educated tone. Join me and embrace the condom.

Emergency Contraception: For emergencies ONLY, damn it!

By: Sarah AASECT.org Bryant

Picture this: You get home from class. You are starving. Dinner has been on your mind for the past hour. You are jonesing for a turkey and swiss sandwich. No turkey? No swiss?! Plan B: trusty (always there for you) peanut butter.
In this situation, plan B is a good option. In a sexual situation, plan B is just an option... but not the best one.

Ladies and gentlemen, there are a plethora of ways to protect oneself from unwanted pregnancy (if you want a list, go to www.sexualityandu.ca for an assortment of trusty methods), but I must beg of you to utilize the methods that are intended for prolonged use when one is sexually active. What does this mean? NOT using emergency contraceptives JUST in case whenever you have sex!

I kid you not, I have overheard more than one conversation where a girl has casually exclaimed to a friend that she would just “grab a plan B” when she had the chance. What?!?! Or another that said “plan B is great because you don’t have to think about anything before sex”. Uh, WHAT?! You should always think about things before sex!

There is a beautiful pill out there called emergency contraception (EC), also known as the most common EC brand name, “Plan B” or the morning after pill. Hell, I’ve even heard of it being called the “oops” pill. Accurate. There is a reason the word ‘emergency’ is in front of ‘contraceptive’ in this case: it’s for emergencies only! Even the website, planb.ca states that “it [Plan B] is not your regular contraceptive. If you're even rarely or occasionally sexually active, find out about all available contraceptives and discuss them with your doctor.”

Plan B is a catchy name for an emergency contraceptive, but here’s the way I see it in terms of “plans of action”:

Plan A: Two types of effective and reliable birth control, condom + pill, for example
Plan B: just one type (just condom, just pill, just spermicide, etc.)
Plan C: No birth control? Abstain! Genital-hand contact/something that is not intercourse.
Plan D: EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (Plan B pill) *(listen to 0:18-0:22 of video for the truth...)
Plan E: If you get to this point, I will smack you. Think before you act.

The EC pill is like a “don’t let it happen again”, not a “this is a reliable method of birth control”. Yea. So is prayer.

“Plan B” (morning after pill): The last option. The morning AFTER implies that you should “think ahead”! Not just a useful saying for exams, my friends!

If you are someone who consistently relies on EC, here are some handy tips to not be that person:

1. Educate yourself about the birth control pill/patch/ring - all reliable and highly effective forms of contraception.
2. Use a condom, for the love of Nancy!
3. Always use a condom? It always breaks? You might want to change brands, my friend.
4. Abstain.
5. Build bird feeders with your loves ones. (This option can be done in conjunction with #4).

There is no shame in using an emergency contraceptive. I applaud you for controlling the population, a.k.a. being calm and smart during a potentially risky situation. EC is there for a reason, and thank goodness for this abundance of safe sex options*. What I am saying, and will continue to advocate, is that EC should not be your preferred method of birth control. It can be the method one turns to when you are out of options and need a “Plan B”. Use your head.

Use plan A and stay safe, sexually speaking.

*Please be advised that the birth control pill and Plan B (see www.planb.ca for more details) do not protect against STIs. Always use a condom for maximum protection when being sexually active.

Write me happiness

Ladies and gentlemen,

I interrupt this stream of research to share with you some of my own glory that I am basking in.

This post will address some of my upcoming sexual health successes and some contemplations for the future.

Awesomeness #1: I am embarking on a Europe journey at the end of this month which will end in Durham, England at the Knowledge Exchange in Public Health (FUSE) conference. I will snap as many pictures and absorb as much information as humanly possible. I may even post my academic poster to the blog.

Awesomeness #2: I will very shortly be published in an academic journal!!!!! My article is on student-centred learning in sexual health education. This journal will be published in April, 2011. I will link to the journal website once I am a part of its brilliance! :):) CAN'T WAIT!

Awesomeness #3: I may or may not have googled sexual health PhD programs. Food for thought... Do I want a PhD or another M.A. in human sexuality, family relations and child/adolescent development, counseling. I'm leaning towards the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, but I have a soft spot for Ontario (my homeslice of a province), and so University of Guelph is also on my mind. YAY FOR THE FUTURE!!!

One step at a time. Step one: write a blog. :) Thanks for making it happen.
Stay safe, sexually speaking

-- the Sarah sexology Bryantology

Comic strips based on "The Purity Myth"

After reading arguably one of the best down to Earth, realistic, and 'oh you are SO right' books about purity and virginity, The Purity Myth by Jessica Valenti, I couldn't help but vividly picture some of the abstinence-only exercises.

Here are a couple of quotes to amuse and shock you.

"...consider another abstinence product: a gold rose pin handed out in schools and at Christian youth events. The pin is attached to a small card that reads, 'You are like a beautiful rose. Each time you engage in pre-marital sex, a precious petal is stripped away. Don't leave your future husband holding a bare stem. Abstain.'" (Valenti, 2010, p. 32).

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough said. This is a terrifying image to a young girl who is now PETRIFIED of sex. Well done radical extremists. Ostriches.

At the top of Chapter 2: Tainted Love, Valenti (2010) quotes Darren Washington, an abstinence educator at the Eighth Annual Abstinence Clearinghouse Conference:
"Your body is a wrapped lollipop. When you have sex with a man, he unwraps your lollipop and sucks on it. It may feel great at the time, but, unfortunately, when he's done with you, all you have left for your next partner is a poorly wrapped, saliva-fouled sucker." (p. 41).

There are 327186757489391432 things wrong with the above statement.
1. !!!!!!!!!!!!
2. I will never eat lollipops again. Ew. Phallic much?
3. "...when he's done with you"? Wow. This isn't misogynistic at ALL. Men seem like creatures in this case and women seem like incapable tools.
4. Again... I used to like lollipops. Thanks for ruining my once innocent and playful image of a lollipop. Ass.

I could go on, but instead I decided to draw comics that illustrate the purity myth. The first comic is based on the first quote about the flower. The second comic is just the overemphasis on the virgin/whore dichotomy. Enjoy.


NOTE: Please click on the picture for a bigger image. Hopefully, it is readable. :)

SWEET JESUS Ontario 7-8 Health and Phys Ed curriculum!

Hisssssssssss!

Alright, so I have been debating whether or not to analyze Ontario's sexual health education curriculum along with British Columbia's. I now know it MUST be done.

Ontario recently revised the Elementary Health and Phys Ed curriculum in 2010. Well done my home sweet home!

According to the overall and specific outcomes of the Healthy Living portion of Health education, By the end of Grade 7 students will:

• identify the methods of transmission and the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and ways to prevent them;
Sarah's commentary: Alright. Necessary. I approve.

• use effective communication skills (e.g., refusal skills, active listening) to deal with various relationships and situations;
Sarah's commentary: Okay... such as "Don't touch my vagina right now" and "I hear what you are saying, but I must abstain as the curriculum tells me to..." Right? Nevertheless, I still agree with effective communication. Okay.

• explain the term abstinence as it applies to healthy sexuality;
Sarah's commentary: .... AND?!?!?!?! What ELSE? Birth control? These children are 12. Some of them have developed breasts! Some of them are on their period RIGHT now... Explain abstinence? That's IT?!

• identify sources of support with regard to issues related to healthy sexuality (e.g., parents/guardians, doctors).
Sarah's commentary: Because teachers are scared to say so? Or because policy states teachers shouldn't say so? Should we get nurses in the class telling kids what a penis is and how it works? Why is it this all has to be left up to doctors... it's SO clinical. Parents, YES! But some won't... so what then?

These are not the only outcomes, but the ones which I thought were important and/or curious.

Under grade 8 (alright... we are 13 years old now... or approaching this age. TEENS! Has anything changed?), it states

By the end of Grade 8, students will:

• explain the importance of abstinence as a positive choice for adolescents;
Sarah's commentary: Among others? This is limiting! *hiss*

• identify symptoms, methods of transmission, prevention, and high-risk behaviours related to common STDs, HIV, and AIDS;

• identify methods used to prevent pregnancy;
Sarah's commentary: Such as?

• apply living skills (e.g., decision-making, assertiveness, and refusal skills) in making informed decisions, and analyse the consequences of engaging in sexual activities and using drugs;
Sarah's commentary: LOL! Living skills. HOLD THE PHONE!!! Here is my issue: Ladies and gentlemen and people who create policy and curriculum, PLEASE do not lump sex and drugs into the same bullet. Drugs are horrid things. No one should do cocaine ever. Sex is not a horrid bad thing... so don't you DARE put them under the same thing. Yes, they both have consequences, but so does swimming after you eat, and you sure as hell wouldn't say swimming and drugs are related, WOULD YOU?!?!?! Drugs. WHOLE other story. Give it a new bullet, a new topic/subject area, hell... even a new lesson, please!!

• identify sources of support (e.g., parents/guardians, doctors) related to healthy sexuality issues.

Dear Ontario,
Don't be vague and give sex some positivity. Students are afraid of negative things... More commentary to come.

Dear Ontario again,
I am not scowling at you because you are doing something wrong. I commend anyone who writes curriculum; however, there are a couple of things that are too vague and will be left up to teacher discretion, causing misinformation, misguidance, and an overall inconsistent teaching and learning. Love you. <3

Yours capable,
the newest policy analyst to your team? I'll let you know when I publish my Master's thesis, then we'll talk?

Max wants to know "what's a vagina?"

My people...

Sex! There. I said it. Once upon a time, I was born. My name is Sarah and I WILL be known as a sexpert one day!

Just to clarify, by sexpert, I mean an informed filter intended to promote knowledge, health, and understanding surrounding sex education. I do not mean this. When I say sex education, I mean sex, sexuality, sexual health, health and wellness, wellbeing, self, identity, Who am I, a little bit of gender, a little bit of anatomy, vagina, penis, boobs, belly button, and all that jazz, education. All of this encompasses sex education. I will not be focusing on how to HAVE sex, but rather how to understand one's body in respect to the actions it can perform, undergo, etc. This includes sex. I cannot escape this fact.

Therefore, sexpert does NOT equal "hey baby let's have a good time" *enter cheesy sex music*. Although I DO have some lovely songs that convey a sexual undertone, they are intended to show that sex is everywhere and we need to get used to that.

I am a scholar. A sexuality scholar. I read, write, and do sexual health education. With an emphasis on EDUCATION.

Let me tell you about some issues to which I would respond "well obviously":

1. Boys have penises.

2. People are afraid of sex.

3. Teenagers think about sex.

4. Sex.

This blog is intended for anyone and everyone who wants to come to terms with the realities of human sexuality. Because of my education background, I will be posting specifically educational documents directed at educators, parents, and sexuality enthusiasts.

Because this is on the internet and people love flashy things, I will be posting pictures, videos, and music to entertain the magpie in all of us. Although I thoroughly enjoy reading research, not everyone does, so I will accommodate those of you who would rather not read and just view Cookie Monster holding a condom. (WHAT DID SHE SAY?!?!?!)

Alright,

I welcome you. Please stay a while and fall in love with my passion to write. My passion to write about my passion: sexuality and how it's such a ?!?!?! to lots of people.

Dear Secondary Schools,

Dear secondary schools,

Hi. I'm Sarah. I volunteer for Options for Sexual Health in Kelowna, British Columbia. It is an excellent place where we educate, celebrate, and shower youth with positive vibes and birth control such as condoms and 'the pill'.

Why we are awesome:

We are realistic, positive, and understanding. Youth are curious about sex. We are cool with that.


Why you should let us in your schools:

I just recently helped out at Sexual Health Day on the Okanagan college campus as part of Options for Sexual Health. It was a blast. Youth 18+ deserve information and resources about sex. Not many people would argue against this. There are plenty of resources and information and education for students in post-secondary institutions. What about kids in school who are just curious and inquisitive? What about Sally who has a question about foreplay? What about Billy who wants to know why erections happen? What about Steven who wants to know how to tell his parents he is gay? What about all of those kids whose questions are not being answered in straight up safety and prevention health ed classes where sex ed is barely touched on? What about these same kids who are spending their Friday nights confused about whether or not they are 'allowed' to kiss, etc.?

OPT is gorgeous. I work there. I would LOVE to come to your school and motivate kids to be positive and confident in their sexual identity. I would LOVE to teach girls that their menstrual cycles are beautiful things and tell guys that every male gets erections and to embrace these bodily changes! I would LOVE to smile and sing and know that sexual health education is being progressive, transformative and effective, and that it is changing people's lives for the better. I would LOVVVVVEEEE to say that we are embracing another sexual revolution and everyone is okay with what is going on in the world (sexually).

Can I please come to your school? KSS, I'm talking to YOU! First stop, colleges and universities, which are now informed about STIs and how to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Next stop, secondary schools: places where kids are silently asking for sex education from people who are not afraid to say "sex happens. Let's deal".

A stop after that? Middle school. <-- That's the dream. :)

Dear schools,
My name is Sarah. And students, youth, kids, and others are reading this blog... and agreeing. Let credible, comprehensive information into your schools. Let it be.


Love,
Your favourite sexual education enthusiast,
Sarah Abstinence-is-only-an-option-not-the-only-option Bryant


PS. Condoms are not scary.

A menstruation sensation you say?!?!

It was a Wednesday. I was wearing a white skirt. The horror!

I had nothing on me. Not even a kleenex! I went into the women's washroom and lurked like a creep until eventually, a SAINT gave me a pad. :) (Shout out to women who are sweet).

HOLD the phone Sarah. This is AWFULLY intimate and uncomfortable... you not only talking about your vagina, but the fact that you needed a pad... which leads to an assumption that you were on your PERIOD.

The following article contains talk about menstruation.

After this glorious day (I told the story to a girl who was having a bad day, and we laughed, reminiscing about how if this was 10 years earlier, it would have been the end of my life in terms of catastrophically bad days), I decided to write an article about the beauty of the 'period'. It's awesome. Bask in its greatness.


Even Hello Kitty isn't afraid of the period!

GENTLEMEN, keep reading and stop being so stereotypically afraid of the monthly inevitability of every female.



PERIODS:
At the end of my sentence, and the end of my youth


Remember that monthly gift every female inevitably gets? Remember that thing that guys never want to talk about? The purpose of this article is to uncover some of the mystical wonders and mythical assumptions of female menstruation, also known as “the period”. Female empowerment will be explored through research on girls’ perspectives and perceptions of periods and how to find the positivity in an arguably negative situation. The social norm is to dislike that looming week every month when a period is bound to happen during a time a female wants to go swimming, have sex, or just wear sexy underwear without a pad.
It is necessary to rejoice in menstruation. There are both negatives and positives associated with menstruation, but the positives are barely ever addressed.

Here are some misconceptions and socially accepted beliefs surrounding menstruation:

Periods are a girl’s problem
So there is this recent commercial about Kotex tampons that sees a woman asking men to go into the pharmacy to buy her tampons because she forgot her bike lock. All of the men are reluctant to do it. One man even says “can I get you toilet paper?” (TresSugar, 2010). No you cannot just get toilet paper! The reactions from the men are typically that of embarrassment or nervousness. I bet the reaction would be different if she was asking him to buy condoms. When it comes to educating oneself about sexuality and issues surrounding puberty and growth, all people, males and females alike, should be informed. Especially if a male is going to be sexually active, he should be familiar with a girl’s period, in my opinion. What about pregnancy and educating about a woman’s hormonal cycles? Men should know this if they plan on being involved in a woman’s life intimately and sexually. The commercial illustrates one of the common perceptions about men and periods. Periods are not a “problem” and they are most definitely not a “girl’s” problem.

Periods are scary
Don’t be afraid of your period. It’s nature’s way of reminding you that your vagina works, your body’s way of thanking you for using a condom, and also a celebratory sign that you are not pregnant. Menstruation is necessary in order to cleanse the female body. One’s period is thus like internal yoga... for the vagina.

There are countless myths depicting fear and discomfort with the period. As if a girl can control whether or not she gets one, the period is frowned upon, not talked about over breakfast, nor is it in any way a ‘happy occurrence’. Yes, cramps suck, and bleeding is never fun; but it’s only once a month and hey, what would you prefer: bleeding every so often or getting a visible reminder of when you’re turned on? Erections. They seem like they’d be annoying. Girls: enjoy your vagina. Period and all.

My period means I am no longer innocent
Jessica Valenti’s (2010) The Purity Myth is a novel about America’s obsession with virginity and some of the misconceptions of purity. In her novel, she talks about innocence and how some restrictive abstinence-only educators couple it with menstruation:

In a 2008 MSNBC medical article ... doctor/reporter Billy Goldberg bemoaned how girls are beginning to menstruate at younger and younger ages: 'What happened to the innocence of youth?’ he asked. He also wrote, ‘Earlier onset of puberty is associated with health concerns beyond the loss of youthful innocence’(Valenti, 2010, p. 71-72).

What is implied here? Girls should remain youthful? Periods are the negative consequence of growing up? Menstruation is inevitable in all young women, and so, should we not be embracing this ‘step’ in the growth process? This quote implies loss of youthful innocence is a societal worry and equates it with health concerns related to abnormal menstruation. Not every woman is the same, and thus, irregular periods are very common at least once in a woman’s life. Also, there is no escaping menstruation, so regardless of potential health concerns, women are going to bleed. A psychological source confirms the possibility of health concerns related to early menstruation, but there are no concerns in terms of youthful innocence: “Age of menarche [first menstrual period] is related to a number of health problems. Girls who menstruate at very young ages are at greater risk for such problems as breast and endometrial cancer...girls who have a higher intake of dietary fibre or a lower intake of monounsaturated fat begin menstruating later” (Rathus et al., 2010, p. 76). Maintaining a healthy diet decreases the risk of health concerns in women, among other positives. Eat fibre! Cleanse your body.


Fingerson (2006) writes about menstruation and empowerment in her novel Girls in Power. Similar to Valenti (2010) who argues that menstruation is a positive experience in a girl’s life and by no means extinguishes a girl’s innocence, Fingerson (2006) pairs interviews with young adolescent girls with research on socially accepted constructions on how Western society views menstruation. Based on the claims made in these two texts, both authors would argue menstruation has nothing to do with a ‘loss of innocence’ because “for women, menstruation is ordinary. Women menstruate on average just under one week per month; thus, approximately one-quarter of all fertile women are menstruating at any given moment” (Fingerson, 2006, p. 15). Girls become women whether they like it or not, and so this is a reality for all females.

Periods are dirty
EW, periods are dirty! How may I ask? Quite the contrary. Periods are a body’s way of telling a female that she is functioning healthily. Periods are like a monthly pat on the back. In Fingerson’s (2006) text, many girls stated that one of the only positives they could find in getting their period was that it is a way to cleanse the body. Keeping this in mind, girls found their periods more empowering and less ‘dirty’ and ‘shameful’.


Periods and social norms
Fingerson (2006) interviews girls and women with different views on menstruation in her novel Girls in Power. The consensus is that girls are afraid to talk about their periods outside of an intimate group of girls. For the most part, “girls are menstruating but they work to conceal this and act as if they are not since they do not want to be different from those around them” (Fingerson, 2006, p.16). Again, in Western society, there is a “cultural emphasis on concealment” (17), meaning that girls are expected to feel as if they should hide their inevitable menstruation. Fingerson (2006) argues that girls should embrace this time in their lives and acknowledge their new found womanhood and their maturing bodies. If it is okay for a male’s voice to drop and him to grow facial hair, I think it should be okay for a woman’s breasts to grow and her monthly gift to flow.


References

Fingerson, L. (2006). Girls in power. Albany, NY: State of University New York Press.

Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., & Herold, E.S. (2010). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (3rd ed.). Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.

TresSugar (2010). Social experiment meets tampon ads in Kotex campaign. TresSugar.com. Retrieved on January 24, 2011 from http://www.tressugar.com/ Kotex-Ad-Features-Woman-Asking-Men-Buy-Her-Tampons-8186439

Valenti, J. (2010). The purity myth: How America’s obsession with virginity is hurting young women. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press.

Do you like me? Check yes or no.

Ladies who are into ladies and gentlemen who are into ladies, and all others that pertain,
You want dating advice? You've come to the right place. Click below to check out my Cosmo-esque 'how to' style article on how to get women to make out with you.

http://www.thephoenixnews.com/articles/42059

Definition sexpedition

Hello friends,

I wrote an article last week for the school newspaper about definitions.



What is sex?

Does oral count too?

Is sex defined by penetration? Orgasm? None of the above? Genital to genital contact?

A couple of things for you all to ponder as you read my lovely article.

Enjoy! :)


http://www.thephoenixnews.com/articles/41170

And now I shall show you all what virginity is!

Try this on for size! Here is a vlog of me reading out an outrageous abstinence-only education classroom exercise. Oh my..... goodness. Beautiful.
PS. I don't know how to make the 'thumbnail' for this video attractive.

More on "The Purity Myth" to come! I will NEVER be done talking about it :)

Virgin WHAT?! Define purity... and then we'll talk

Purity... I think of doves and girls in flowing dresses frolicking in a meadow...

So I'm currently reading one of the greatest books of all time: The Purity Myth: How America's obsession with virginity is hurting young women by Jessica Valenti. Not only is the book written extremely well, and the research is just flawlessly chosen, etc... but the ideas and the inquisitive nature of almost every paragraph... marry me.

I am only 100 pages in so far, and I have like, 438907589478092 post its and highlights. I want to make references to a couple of things and throw my opinion at them (despite how similar my opinion is to Valenti's... she's a genius, so it's all good).

So essentially the main issue revolves around
- what is purity?
- what is a virgin?
- what's the deal with the virgin/whore dichotomy
- sexualization of youth and how this relates to the obsession with virginity
- if you have sex, you are forever tainted and may as well go live in a cave
- if you are a virgin, here... have a pony <3

oh shi--

Like me, Valenti (2010) argues that abstinence teaching is not a bad thing; however, the absence of any other teaching about sexual health is just wrong. There is a huge bias there about beliefs, and really, who are YOU to say what students believe and what they should believe?!?! Yes, YOU! .____.

Like my thesis majestically says (although in a very rough copy at the moment), sex education should focus more on the individual, relationships, experiences, and healthy living rather than the ACT of intercourse and its negative outcomes. Seriously... negativity doesn't sit well with anyone, and although students NEED to be aware of STIs and unwanted babies, they also need to know that kissing and holding hands and the nice feeling of having your body caressed is nice when it is done in a HEALTHY way.

So why is this virginity issue such an issue??

WELL,
Whether you are a virgin or a whore* (it seems to me like you are either or in the eyes of a virginity-movement advocate), neither is really a good thing.
If you are a virgin, you are a limited sheltered "girl"** who is waiting for her husband to take her flower, etc. Boring.
If you are a whore, you have sex with everything that moves and are dirty and tainted and worthless and hopeless and ANYONE who is not a heterosexual girl purely waiting for her husband to come retrieve the tulips.

*Whore??? But she's wearing the colour of purity!!! And doing yoga!!!

Virgin? There IS a cloud in the background. And she looks like she's never had sex (<--- what the hell does THIS look like??!?!?!?!) ** I hate this. I wish SO badly to hear about boys. What about boys? I mean, I understand the pressures are very much in the camps of us females, but what about those poor boys in high school who are being teased by their friends to 'tap that chick', etc.? What if a boy DOESN'T want to have sex? Or what if he does it and then regrets it? I don't think one can argue that one gender is harder to be when growing up. In both respects, there's a hardcore amount of pressure and obsession surrounding sexuality. But, why?

For some reason, sexuality is a big deal. *shrugs* Go worry about your mathematics grade and stop bugging others about how 'far' they've gone.

Anyway, back to the book (I could write all day) <3<3<3 Here's something to try on for size: A symbol of abstinence: a gold rose pin handed out in schools and at Christian* youth events. The pin is attached to a small card that reads, 'You are like a beautiful rose. Each time you engage in pre-marital sex, a precious petal is stripped away. Don't leave your future husband holding a bare stem. Abstain.'" (Valenti, 2010, p. 32).

(Hilarious comic strip illustrating the reality of the above quote to come...)

WHAT?!

Sweet merciful mother!!!! That is just.... OMGGGGGGGG! Holy pressure cooker Batman!

*This scares me. If you are a Christian youth, you MUST be this way. It is your stigma. If you are not, you CANNOT be this way. There's that dichotomy again. I can only imagine a girl wearing a gold pin and falling in love (properly... the definition is up for debate... interpret as you will), and wanting to say... kiss her beloved. Then, wanting to maybe you know... MORE. YOU CAN'T! YOU AREN'T MARRIED!!! But, but... she can't afford a wedding yet... and-- and-- she's only 17. NO! NO!!! AAAAHHHH!!!! *explodes*

Terrifying. And yet, true. America IS obsessed with virginity. I think Canadians are a tad preoccupied with it... but not quite obsessed? I'd like to see a Canadian rendition of this novel... probably wouldn't be tooooooo different, methinks.

Anyway, I have nothing against beautiful gold pins. Hell, I'll wear one. But don't go throwing virginity into a symbol and pressuring someone to make a decision like that at such a young age. When you're 10, all you want to do is play in the dirt and sing stupid pop songs. It's a sweet life! Let's teach our students to self-reflect, assess personal values, and communicate effectively in order to make these apparently "INTENSELY LIFE-CHANGING DECISIONS!!!!"

Newsflash: Having sex is like making a sandwich. It happens all the time. And it's really not that big of a deal. It's a deal... but not that big of one. Let the students decide how big of a deal their sexualities are before we put a giant OMG stamp on all things sexual. Seriously.

ALSO, one last thought (haha, totally kidding... I have oodles to say, but another blog TBA...)
It's parents and adults who are so obsessed with this virginity thing. Students are only obsessed with it because adults have so much control over policy, especially extremist adults like people associated with the virginity-movements. Mad props to passionate individuals, but let's back off a little and let diverse individuals lead diverse, beautiful, unique, and healthy lives instead of drawing out the sexual to-do list of every student ever.

To do:
1. Abstain
2. Brush teeth

^ HAH! Me.

Purity. Doves. Enough said.

Stay safe. Sexually speaking... this includes BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO abstinence.

PS. Anyone who tells you to abstain from masturbating needs a kick in the jaw. As if you can tell me I can't touch my own body.

PSS. Where the lesbians at??!?!?! Apparently, they don't exist in the virginity-movement. Don't GET me started.