Sex and dating columnists, we need to talk. First, let me just say that I like the Mustang Daily. Sure, the copyeditors don’t always catch every typo, and there’s the occasional scandal with plagiarizing (lazy) columnists, but without the daily Word on the Street, letters to the editor and crossword puzzles, my time between (and often during) classes would be spent…I don’t know, studying. And dammit, that’s just not something I’m prepared to do.
But there is one area in which the Daily has failed me for the last four years: the sex and dating column. Many of you have tackled this Everest of the arts and entertainment section in hopes of becoming the next Carrie Bradshaw, despite the fact that it is the character’s overwhelming lack of understanding when it comes to relationships that fuels both the comedy and drama of that show. Your columns use obnoxious and often vulgar slang in a feeble attempt to be in your face and push the envelope. You assume that men and women live up to stereotypes that both sexes have been trying to squash for the past few decades and draw cliché conclusions based in pop psychology. And I’ve yet to see any of you address abstinent or non-heterosexual experiences.
OK, I know. I too hate people who whine about a problem without offering any sort of solution, so let me explain what I think a sex and dating column should be. It seems obvious that a sex column would be a great outlet to inform students about sex. The column’s primary function should be to give information. Yes, the information that we all should have learned at least by high school, if not sooner. Topics could include: How to tell if you have an STI, what types of contraception are available to you, where to get them and how effective they are and your questions answered about LGBT Issues.
Its second function should be to give an opinion about relationship or sex-related topics. Why are you columnists always so afraid to make an argument? If the topic is “Long Distance Relationships — Worth the Effort?” the writer will undoubtedly conclude with a vague “well, for some people it can work and for some people it can’t, so you’ll just have to figure out what’s right for you.”
It’s like the terrible sex-ed movies we’d watch in middle school that would try to tell you that every feeling you have is perfectly normal, even if it’s different from someone else’s experience. Boooooooring. I want a column that says “long distance sucks, don’t ever do it!” Yeah, go ahead and point out the merits of the side, but then refute them. That’s what having an opinion is about. And what’s the worst that will happen? The Daily might get 800 letters from whiny freshmen about how their long distance thing is fantastic? Awesome, you have 800 readers!
Look sex and dating columnists, I just don’t think this thing between us is working. It’s not you, it’s me. Denise is a great writer who isn’t afraid to talk about handjobs and I love that. But it’s just not enough for me anymore. I’d like to see other columns, that’s why I’ve signed up. We can still be friends if you like. This is just something I need to do for myself at this point in my life.
Psh. Everest. Bring it.
Jenna Ray is an English senior and one of Mustang Daily’s sex columnists.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jenna Ray’s column is not replacing Denise Nilan’s sex column. The columns will run on alternating weeks. Look for Nilan’s “Sex Ed” column next Tuesday.
Finally, a sex columnist with a brain! In my four years at this school, the sex column has always been a waste of space. Good luck, Jenna, you’re gonna need it to shake off four years of mediocrity.
Wait a minute…are you the new sex columnist? Are we really supposed to take advice from an ugly virgin? Bring back the old sex columnist, she was funny, witty, and at least had experience on the subject.
Seriously….they replaced Denise with you? Does the Mustang Daily think people want to read a sex column written by someone who is frustrated and cranky? no! I don’t want to feel that way when I’m reading about sex. At least Denise wrote her opinion with out being too harsh and actually made it enjoyable to read.
If you’re jumping up and down right now because you got another comment aka another reader….you should probably stop. I only picked up the daily today in hopes that I would find Sex Ed with Denise Nilan.
Looks like the Daily just lost a reader.
Frustrated and cranky? Ugly virgin?
Excuse me while I go snort a kidney in vigorous laughter.
Now that that’s over with… Wow, a columnist that’s… RIGHT. What a concept! Not only will she talk about sex in a fun manner, but it will actually tell me something I didn’t already know. Because honestly, the previous ones? Um wow, thank you. Oral sex exists. I’ve been living in an Amish closet my whole life.
I’m looking forward to Jenna overthrowing the old stigma of dating/sex columns (everywhere) trying too hard to be funny and failing at… well, talking about dating/sex in a worthwhile manner. Not to mention, her writing rules, even in just a declaration of war against Lame.
Also. Velma? Jenna gets more sex than you in an HOUR than you get in a MONTH. I know. I was there. It was awe-inspiring, to say the least. I think it might have cured world hunger for like, a minute.
A sex column, Carrie Bradshaw style, includes NOTHING about informing college students about STDS, Pregancy contraceptives, etc. That is what the Health Center is for! There are adds in the paper, Jenna, for the Center or even articles about seeking help when pregnant…DUH! Denise’s column was an entertaining and humorous approach to the often sssh sssh topic. Let’s face it. People in college have sex! You should reevaluate your post if you think that all sex columns should have is information about it. People like real stories and a real take on it, not just facts being spilled at you like your doctor would.
Also, the campus communitee does not need an entire sex column dedicated to the LGTB community on campus. That is something for the club to do on its own, not for the whole school! That would be simply ridiculous!
I’m pretty sure this column will not be dedicated exclusively to LGTB issues, but it will be great to see a broader spectrum of situations addressed!
Also, political topics aren’t left out of the newspaper party just because Poly already has clubs that cover them, and just because I’m not a part of any sustainability clubs on campus doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading The Green Spot. Articles cover whatever issues the readers want to hear about, and it looks like Jenna’s got a few people interested in what she has to say.
Hey Gertrude,
1. you should shoot your parents for naming you Gertrude.
2. Every sex column always catered to the straight community. Gay men don’t like vaginas so having a topic that they can maybe somewhat relate to every once is a while could maybe been “inclusive?” What a concept.
3. It would be very ironic if you had an STI and had no idea that you had one. The fact that you called it an STD means that a column she mentioned is probably needed for someone with an “old soul” like you (haha joke about comment 1.)
4. People in college have sex???? WHAT? Blasphemy! haha. You seem like a loser.
I loved this introduction and I’m really looking forward to your future columns. While groups like the LGBT community are a minority, it would be great to see them represented more and hear stories on their end. I also can’t wait to see a sex and dating columnist who isn’t afraid to take a stand on an issue, or just tell it like it is. Doctors dispensing information can only go so far…a columnist who can bluntly weigh the pros and cons of contraception methods and actually recommend one and treat STIs with the seriousness they deserve. Previous columns have featured cheesy writing that insulted my intelligence as a reader, and I can’t wait to read your writing that is witty, edgy, and just plain memorable.
Dear Rachel,
I applaud your enthusiastic appreciation for the new columnist but your post shows a lack of intelligent understanding. Yes it is true, doctors tend to be a fountain of information. Yet, I have to ask you, who is a more credible source when discussing the pros/cons/side effects/health risks of various contraceptives and sexual activities? A licensed physician or a fledgling writer? I’d take a doctor’s opinion over Jenna’s any day of the week. Furthermore, should the Daily be publishing material advising students on subject matter better suited for professionals? Since when did the Daily apply for medical malpractice insurance?!?
Just one quick clarification: Denise is still a sex columnist for the Mustang Daily. We have two now.
-Lauren, MD online editor
thank GOD! someone who has a brain. does this mean you won’t have any bland and shallow whore stories about how you or “your friend” got drunk this weekend and banged a 7? woohoo, somebody who respects themselves and their reputation, as well as that of their friends. nothing worse than reading that wanna-be carrie bradshaw crap from a freakin 21 year old. i mean, really.
Fantastic! I’m glad someone’s doing the sex column who is respectable. I’m sure Denise is a nice girl, but honestly, I think people need to know that everyone has sex, not just people who get shitfaced and sleep around on their spare time. If sex is going to ever be anything besides demonized, stigmatized, and feared in the eyes of decency, we need to do away with trashy columns written by girls who dispense hand jobs like a vending machine, and get the perspective of a woman who has at least an ounce of a sense of responsibility, maturity, and moral judgment. Thank you for providing an intelligent alternative, Jenna.
We need a guy sex columnist. Of all the sex columnist writers, the only truly amusing one was a guy who wrote the column my freshman year (4 years ago). I don’t know what it is about girls (even being one myself) but the columns always end up stereotypically mediocre and humorless.
I hate the weeks when Denise’s column isn’t in the Daily. It’s a sex column, people! Denise wrote about sex and told it how it is. I really don’t want to read more about how to prevent STI’s a different methods of birthcontrol. We’ve been hearing all of that since the seventh grade.