Sex is natural to humans
By Kieran Sullivan
As a psychologist and an intimate relationships researcher, and especially as a Santa Clara professor concerned about student development and well being, I have some significant concerns about the article "Immorality Behind Contraception" that appeared in the opinion section of last week's issue of The Santa Clara.
In the article, the author discusses contraception in the context of premarital and marital sex as well as sexual dreams and masturbation. Masturbation, premarital sex and marital sex while using contraception are repeatedly characterized as "narcissistic" and "addictive." The assertions regarding sexual practices are inaccurate and misleading, and I am concerned of the potential impact these assertions could have on college students' developing sense of sexuality.
To provide some context for these assertions and to "look at the evidence," as the article's author suggests, one might consider recent findings in the extensive scientific literature on sexuality and sexual practices. One study published in 2002 found that 98 percent of male college students and 44 percent of female college students report having masturbated. In another study, published in 2005, at least 75 percent of men and women report having had sexual intercourse by their late teenage years. I am not certain why masturbation (or premarital or protected sex) were characterized as addictive in the article. Addiction is typically defined in the field of psychology as consisting of tolerance and withdrawal. The need for more and more of a substance to get the same effect and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not taken (such as nausea, tremors and headaches) characterizes addictive behavior.
Addiction is considered a physically abnormal state, and is treated by psychologists to help patients return to a normal physical state. The sexual drive to experience orgasm, in contrast, is considered normal in humans. There is some evidence that a very small percentage of people are sexual addicts; this term is typically used to describe people who experience the need to have sex as an irresistible impulse and who have sex with many partners in a short period of time. There is no evidence, however, that masturbation (or premarital or protected sex) as it occurs normally in humans leads to sexual addiction.
The portrayal of these behaviors as narcissistic is also troubling. Sexuality, however one chooses to express it, is an intrinsic part of being human. Given the numbers of people who are engaging in masturbation, premarital sex and marital sex with contraception, it seems that the argument would call nearly everyone a narcissist. I was especially troubled by the assertion that "contraception can never have a positive effect on any marriage." In the sex literature and in my own clinical practice, I have come across quite a bit of evidence that contraceptive use often increases couples' sexual and emotional intimacy, typically by reducing anxieties over unintended pregnancy.
Finally, I believe the tone of the article was troublesome. It seemed to me to suggest a lack of recognition of the diversity of our student body. We have students from various faith traditions and students who embrace a variety of ethical approaches to sex and sexuality. I can imagine that the article could easily be perceived as alienating and condemning, rather than as educational or inviting.
Kieran Sullivan is a professor in the psychology department and specializes in the field of intimate relationships.