2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Opinion
Your Voice | Letters
Letters to the Editor
Refocusing the drinking discussion
To the Editor:
President Gutmann notes that she has not seen conclusive evidence confirming the claim "that the higher drinking age causes increased levels of binge drinking" ("Gutmann: Drinking-Age debate needed" 8/28/08).
She is wise not to enter the conversation about age limits for alcohol if it does not include the topic of the relationship between binge drinking and sex.
While some students abuse alcohol to act cool or rebel or perhaps revel in their new-found freedom, alcohol is used primarily to mask discomfort or fear in initiating sexual encounters or engaging in potential sexual relationships. Students use bingeing to find the courage to be sexual or, at least, to justify sexual behavior that their (usually unexamined) moral values would not usually allow.
Until we promote a public conversation in a safe venue that provides non-judgmental guidance and permission to be sexual before marriage and encourage the examination and development of constructive sexual ethics, students will continue to abuse alcohol. Unfortunately, it's the only way some can be sensual, sexual and pleasure-seeking young adults. When we unhinge sexual repression in our culture from alcohol, we will find that age limits for drinking is a less important conversation.
We need to open a helpful dialogue about the norms, values and ethics of being sexual people.
Rev. Beverly Dale
The author is president of the Christian Association at Penn
To the Editor:
President Gutmann notes that she has not seen conclusive evidence confirming the claim "that the higher drinking age causes increased levels of binge drinking" ("Gutmann: Drinking-Age debate needed" 8/28/08).
She is wise not to enter the conversation about age limits for alcohol if it does not include the topic of the relationship between binge drinking and sex.
While some students abuse alcohol to act cool or rebel or perhaps revel in their new-found freedom, alcohol is used primarily to mask discomfort or fear in initiating sexual encounters or engaging in potential sexual relationships. Students use bingeing to find the courage to be sexual or, at least, to justify sexual behavior that their (usually unexamined) moral values would not usually allow.
Until we promote a public conversation in a safe venue that provides non-judgmental guidance and permission to be sexual before marriage and encourage the examination and development of constructive sexual ethics, students will continue to abuse alcohol. Unfortunately, it's the only way some can be sensual, sexual and pleasure-seeking young adults. When we unhinge sexual repression in our culture from alcohol, we will find that age limits for drinking is a less important conversation.
We need to open a helpful dialogue about the norms, values and ethics of being sexual people.
Rev. Beverly Dale
The author is president of the Christian Association at Penn
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
22 year old
posted 9/05/08 @ 7:31 AM EST
We don't need a "discussion" about sex and morality -- people do what they want according to their own moral code. Sorry if it doesn't "fit in" with yours. (Continued…)
Lily
posted 9/05/08 @ 2:31 PM EST
I think you're missing the point... it's not a commentary on consequences, but on premeditation. I think Reverend Dale is talking about TALKING, not just submitting eighteen year olds to the right. (Continued…)
Elizabeth Mehan Calter
posted 9/07/08 @ 8:57 AM EST
Dear Editor:
This is dedicated to the new students of Penn who may fall into harm's way on the streets of University City.
Self-preservation is the first natural law and in doing the homework for the test of the stress (crime) encounter we have a chance to pass the test, survive and help heal the other if others are involved in the scenario of our stress encounter. (Continued…)
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