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Sex, silence, youth and the media
Opinion: We still have far to travel.
When it comes to contraception issues, Ireland has grown alongside the Celtic tiger. Certainly times have changed since the widespread smuggling of condoms over the Northern borders by brave and pioneering women in the 1970s.
We have seen various sexual health initiatives grow and develop throughout the capital and the rest of Ireland, including the very helpful and pioneering sex-related information given by SpunOut.ie. However upon reading the headlines in the Sunday Independent last week (dated 7th September) detailing an ‘exposé’ of sexual practices in Irish University campuses, I couldn’t help but think we still have far to travel.
It might be easy to dismiss this as over sensationalised headlines designed to grab the attention of the fearful parent watching their child off to college for the first time. The points covered in the article could be summarised as follows: Young Irish women treat sex as a casual interaction, disregarding any sense of self-respect (certainly the accompanying opinion piece made condemnation of the development of the women’s movement and the lack of self respect shown by young people).
Whether these incidents as described do happen or not is irrelevant. What is important to note is we young Irish people do have sex. We might even do it causally. The article did discuss the interactions between the student population and the health services. It is not enough. Mainstream Irish media do not (on an ongoing basis) chronicle in an accessible manner the accompanying health issues relating to sex i.e. pregnancy and STIs, nor provide information surrounding access to resources. They are happy to morally condemn sex but do not agree to acknowledging young people have sex. Yet, that sex has consequences.
Talking about sex, or rather not talking about sex, appears to have its roots in the Catholic Church’s attitude. In Celtic Ireland we sit in an uneasy position as young people. We do live in a moral ‘vacuum’ of sorts; in the sense religion does not play as huge a role in our lives as it once did. We are enjoying our newfound prosperity and exposure to global trends.
In terms of sex we are not so lucky. At present we are on the cusp of a pivotal moment in relation to sex and unwanted pregnancy. Abortion is currently being discussed in relation to Northern Ireland. Its extension (so rights to it match rights in England, Scotland and Wales) has been put forward. This may never become a reality- but the importance of this development is that serious discussion is taking place.
Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have seen some harrowing cases before the European Court in relation to abortion, with some unfavourable outcomes. Bound by De Valera’s constitution, Irish law takes a strictly conservative approach to abortion. Perhaps someday in the near future the images of those brave women crossing the border will be re-enacted once again.
I am not suggesting that we should mirror our law to be in sameness to the UK, nor am I suggesting mainstream Irish media should echo UK media in its openness to sex. That would be a gross dis-acknowledgement of history and of the journalists who do devote themselves to the abortion debate. But we young people must also take responsibility to inform the media and health professionals.
It is our right to have access to sexual health services, as part of general health services. We cannot say we live in a developed country if we cannot access health services. Part of this means treating sex as a right. As a responsibility. Sex has always been bound by various morals and values. In Ireland especially, sex has always had religious, political and moral considerations. It does not exist alone in a vacuum.
But it is not fair that we young people are being misrepresented. Particularly we young women. There are groups devoted to abortion and contraception as a right. We need to ensure it is these groups who receive recognition in the media as opposed to lewd acts committed by individuals. Now may be a good time to begin speaking with the sheer possibility of abortion being available just over the border. We do not want history to repeat itself.
By: Annette Carter
