4 WAYS TO IMPROVE AMERICA’S SEXUAL HEALTH

John Bancroft, M.D., director of the Kinsey Institute, provides his prescription for a healthier society.

Eradicate the sexual double standard. “Until we have achieved a society in which sexual responsibility is equally shared by men and women, from early adolescence onward, we will continue to have major social as well as personal problems associated with sex.”

Teach sexual responsibility to young people. “The expectation is that young people will spend their years of maximum sexual arousability in a society that bombards them constantly with sexual messages in a state of ‘suspended sexuality.’ It does not help to deny information to adolescents when they are experiencing sexual feelings. It is also not possible to teach our youth to behave in a responsible manner without being open and honest about sex.”

Respect all varieties of sexual expression, as long as they are handled responsibly. Sexual responsibility, Bancroft says, means protecting against disease and unwanted pregnancy, avoiding causing physical or psychological harm to ourselves and our partners, participating only in truly consensual sex and avoiding sexual exploitation of those too young to make responsible decisions.

Encourage trust. Being sexual means letting go. Feeling safe to do so with a partner has a powerful bonding effect. Conversely, many sexual problems result from not feeling safe or from being hurt while vulnerable.