Basic Choices about Sexual Behavior

Dr. Paul Rux teaches a course on global health for Lakeland College Online.

As part of his course, students listen to interviews by Milt Rosenberg, Ph.D., with experts from the audio archives of his program, Extension 720, at WGN Radio 720 A.M.

In this case study, a student evaluates an interview of how the collapse of traditional moral values in America is causing campus havoc.

The fact that some students like Jennifer who abhors this moral vacuum gives some hope yet.

Jennifer XXXX
Global Health
Week 4 – Audio Case Study – Miriam Grossman, M.D.
June 20, 2009

A. Key points

Epidemics - Epidemics on university campuses include depression, cutting, suicidal behaviors, and eating disorders. More and more of these epidemics are happening because of the campus culture. There are different sexual expectations expected in this generation than in generations before. Miriam Grossman talked about one behavior in great detail. She said that because of the campus culture, there are many expectations that can lead to a behavior called, “cutting.” Cutting is more often done by women than by men. Many people do this behavior to express their inner pain. It also releases endorphins, a hormone that makes us feel better. Some just feel a sense of relief by the site of their own blood.

Campus culture – Campus culture is described as what types of behaviors are being reported on campus by students. Some of the behaviors mentioned by Grossman are binge drinking, casual sexual behavior (having sex with no emotional strings attached), group sex, and spiritual bankruptcy (losing the connection with God or not ever having one). There is a large price to be paid for all of these behaviors.

“Hooking up” - “Hooking up” is a term that Grossman used to describe a sexual encounter that a student has with another student just to have sex; no emotional strings attached. More women are affected emotionally by this type of behavior than men. Grossman feels the reason for this is because women release a hormone, Oxytocin (the same hormone they release when they are nursing a baby). Their brain tells them that they are now with a person that they can feel comfortable with and trust. How can there not be an emotional connection?

For men, they release Vasopressin; which acts like Oxytocin in a male, and Testosterone. The testosterone in a man acts as a catalyst for a man to move on from that encounter and look for the next. There is an urge for more variety of partners.

Religiousness – Religiousness has to deal with the role of God in the college students’ life. In most cases, being religious or having faith is viewed as a positive force. If a person has a purpose, a genuine faith in which they have a sincere belief in God, providence, “we are here for a reason,” sort of mentality, they can benefit both emotionally and physically. With this faith, a person is able to handle many setbacks and stress better. Things such as life changing situations in life such as starting or ending a relationship and death are easier to handle when one has faith.

Disease – Students are paying a high price for these irresponsible behaviors. Some of the disease include: HPV (which can lead to cervical cancer), HIV, and many other STD’s.

B. Reason for selection these five key points.

1. I chose epidemics because not aware that the statistics are showing that more than 50% of college students say that they are depressed. I had a roommate in college years ago that seemed happy when she came to college. After the first semester, her boyfriend had ended their relationship and she became more and more promiscuous. Even though she seemed like this type of behavior was making her happier, her grades began to plummet and by the end of the second semester, she went home for the weekend and never returned. She had committed suicide and left a note that she was unable to go on with life because she did not want to continue the life she was living.

2. I chose campus culture because I was horrified by the talk of “threesomes, foursomes, group sex, and swinging clubs.” I can’t imagine this kind of behavior in young kids. I do hope that they are at least using protection for themselves and for others.

3. I chose “hooking up,” because I had heard of this before, only in the terms of, “a friend with benefits.” I have never condoned this type of behavior. Whatever happened to respecting your body and sexuality? I can’t believe the comment that Grossman made about Planned Parenthood saying that “Sexuality is like food, water, and shelter; we need it for survival on a regular basis.” I think it, or intimacy is needed to keep a marriage strong, however, we are talking about young college students. Their minds should be on studying and getting good grades in order to succeed in life.

4. I chose religiousness because of the religious faith that I have. It makes me really sad to see so many college students with no one to turn to. Praying and talking to God has helped me to understand many difficult situations in my life. I can’t imagine not having this, or no one to tell about this opportunity.

5. I chose disease because I am astonished to find out that the chance of a college girl contracting HPV is 43% for every year that they are sexually active and have unprotected sex. I did not know that the cervix is less mature in young women and is more vulnerable to disease because of it. It is too bad we as a nation cannot get back to a culture that values their sexuality. It would eliminate a lot of problems.