New York University student Josy Jablons is working with NYU's Students for Sexual Respect to create a culture more open to discussions about consent, through the #BetterSexTalk photo project. Jablons paired with student photographer Emilio M.K. to give students a say in what improved sexual education looks like, and the results were compelling.
The photo project asks NYU students what single piece of advice they would give to a younger sibling about sex. According to an interview with ThinkProgress, Jablons knew that posing the question this way would elicit more genuine, intimate responses from students, rather than simply asking what should be taught in high school sex ed classes.
Students from all walks of life responded to the prompt. To Jablon's surprise, many of NYU's Greek organizations reached out, asking to participate in the photo series, and choosing their piece of advice together as a group. The project opened up for some much-needed conversations about healthy sexual relationships on the NYU campus -- conversations that, for some, may have been new and unfamiliar territory.
Across America, sex ed classes are notorious for leaving out conversations about consensual relationships and what they look like. This leaves many students in a vulnerable position when they go to college, where decisions on sex and relationships are taken on with independence.
Add in the potential risks of the involvement of alcohol, and consent tends to take a back seat. Many argue that asking outright for consent is awkward, or it ruins "the heat of the moment." But, the fact of the matter is that consent is required for any and all sexual or physical involvement with another person.
NYU's students shared some brilliant insight on consent, expression of sexuality, and healthy relationships in college. Check out some of their words of wisdom in these highlights from the #BetterSexTalk project.
Yes means yes, and no means no. Silence will never be equal to consent.
Everyone has boundaries. Establish what each partner is and is not comfortable with beforehand.
Societal stigma belittles and shames expression of female sexuality, and pressures women to be submissive. Own your sexuality, explore your body, and discover what feels good to you, no matter your gender identity.
Saying yes to sex -- or any other physical contact -- does not mean the answer is yes every time. Consent is not interminable, and must be re-established every time.
Everyone deserves to be satisfied during a sexual experience. Ask for what you want, but respect your partner's body and their boundaries.
What you consider to be sex is, ultimately, up to you! That's the beauty of it!
These photos are leading the way toward creating "an entire culture around consent," as Jablons phrases it in her ThinkProgress interview. Bringing these pieces of insight to the public eye raises awareness to the fact that American sex ed desperately needs to become better, for the sake of students everywhere. Better sex ed will lead to safer sex, fewer unwanted pregnancies, slower spread of STDs, and ultimately, healthier and happier relationships.
While our nation's high school sex education still has a long way to go until it is accurate and inclusive, these NYU students give us hope that we can figure things out as we go. We know, at the very least, their younger siblings are in good hands.
Click to view the #BetterSexTalk photography campaign in its entirety.
