Casual Sex for Women: Filling the Void with Emptiness

Women, like men, are sexual creatures and, therefore, there is no reason why they cannot have sex as freely as men do. This premise was the foundation of the feminist sexual revolution that began in the 1960’s in Western society. Since then, women have been encouraged to express their sexuality without the social norms and expectations that inhibited them in the past and, consequently, the term “casual sex” – sexual relationships without any meaning or attachment – has become very popular among females. However, this type of sexual behavior has been proven to be harmful for women’s health, and that is why they should think twice before engaging in casual sex.
This position many be shocking for some people because casual sex seems to be the best alternative for those women who do not have the time or the need for the trappings of a real romantic relationship but that still want to satisfy their sexual needs. However, this perception is wrong, and most women who have practiced this type of sexual behavior know exactly why: casual sex is just a way to avoid commitment, and it usually creates a bigger void than the one it was meant to fill in the first place.
In fact, research has proven that in order to achieve sexual pleasure, women require some level of emotional attachment. Kerner (2009), a sex therapist, states that biologically speaking, women are not built to have casual sex because the female orgasm releases a burst of oxytocin – the cuddle hormone – which facilitates a sense of attachment, and if there is nothing to attach to (i.e., no emotional content or meaningfulness), “orgasm becomes a regretful reminder of the hollowness of the sex that preceded it” (Kerner, 2009). This explains why so many women feel guilt, discomfort, and regret after “one-night stands” as opposed to man, whose biological conditions allow them to enjoy sex without any emotional consequences. Furthermore, Grello, Welsh, and Harper (2006) found that “casual sex is associated with symptoms of depression for females” (p. 263). They speculate that these symptoms may be associated with little sexual satisfaction and the anxiety that they experience after failing in the attempt to fill an internal void (Grello, Welsh & Harper, 2006, p.265). Yet, there are some women who claim to have enjoyed casual sex, but most of them did so because they believed that the relationship would evolve into a new romance. The problem with these women is that when they fail to acknowledge casual sex as a “meaningless deal,” they become quite vulnerable to getting hurt because, usually, their partner does not think of their relationship as a romance.
Therefore, women should wait until they are in a romantic relationship to have sex because, otherwise, they will be likely to suffer from emotional distress. Indeed, chastity is preferable if it will help women to avoid depression. However, for those women who are not interested in a “real” relationship, chastity may not be the solution if they want to satisfy their sexual needs. These women may prefer to engage in casual sex but they should have good communication with their sexual partner in order to define and assimilate what kind of relationship they want to have. Nevertheless, they must keep in mind that they will not achieve real pleasure unless they feel emotionally attached to their sexual partner. Kerner (2009) states that the more casual the situation, the less likely it is that women achieve orgasm or emotional happiness. In other words, they would be filling an internal void with more emptiness. Finally, the decision of whether or not to have casual sex should be a matter of logic for women: if you feel bad after doing it, then be reasonable and stop doing it!

Ligia Gonzalez

Water Shortages: Who Caused Them?

What if nature were able to talk? What would it ask for? If possible, the Earth might be screaming to human beings not to waste natural resources. Since humanity appeared in this planet, all people have done is using natural resources -especially water- without taking any measures to protect them. Nowadays, as water is lacking all around the world, people like to think that it is not their fault; instead, they say it is the consequence of climate change. Although natural phenomena have increased the lack of water worldwide, human beings are responsible for water shortages because of the abuse of natural resources.

To begin with, the crisis humanity is facing is related to people’s actions; water shortages are the consequence of the inability of human beings to protect hydric resources. According to the article “Sin aqua non” during the last 50 years “the world’s population rose from 3 billion to 6.5 billion (2009). As a consequence, more water will be required to satisfy people’s needs. For this reason, one can say that overpopulation means overconsumption of water. However, this is not the only reason why water is lacking worldwide; the main problem is that people do not use this natural resource in an intelligent way, and abuse is the culture. Some think water is a renewable resource, so they do not care about how much of this liquid they use in everyday activities. As a result, people “are using more water than can be replenished” (Foulkes, 2009). The lack of education regarding natural resources management is what leads to inadequate habits. For example, some people are used to brush their teeth while the water is running; this is exactly what lack of education, in regards to the use of natural resources, means.

In contrast, some individuals say that water shortages are not related to human actions. The claim of many people is that the world has plenty of water and humans do not have to worry about it. While it is true that 70% of the Earth’s surface is water just 1% of it is drinking water (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). Besides that argument, a person can say that global warming is the main cause of water shortages, so it is not human beings fault. However, what has caused climate change are human beings’ actions; that is why the cycle of the rains is changing, the poles are melting and people in some regions of the world have little water to survive. For these reasons, humanity should stop thinking that the lack of water is not their fault.

The good news is that all people around the world can do something to avoid a massive drought. Reducing the time while taking a shower or watering the garden with a container instead of a hose are actions that everybody can do without much effort. Also, water authorities can implement water policies, as campaigns or incentives, to improve the water use. Nevertheless, the most important action is to improve the efficiency of water because if people change their habits and take advantage of this liquid in an intelligent way, the problem will decrease. In brief, sustainability is the goal, and if water resources are managed in a proper way it can be achieved.

The future and well-being of humanity depends on the decisions people make now; if individuals choose to do nothing in order to stop the growing problem of water shortages, the consequences might be irreversible. On the other hand, changing certain habits and behaviors can be the solution to this problem. Everyone can do something, and human beings just have to make the correct decision.

Elena Bermudez

Imitating a Solution: The Post Day Pill

What the cartoon recreates may be a joke for Costa Rican people, but for Spaniards it could be a reality in just a few months after the approval of the law that allowed the free-selling of the post-day pill last week. Spain approved this law because the government wants to reduce unplanned pregnancies in adolescents and also, it wants to reduce the 112 000 abortions that occur in that country (DPA, 2009). In Costa Rica, more than 27 000 abortions occur every year (Zamora, 2008), and one measure to reduce them will be the authorization of selling the morning after pill in the country. Although many people believe that the post-day pill is abortive, and it has side effects, it should be legalized in Costa Rica to prevent unplanned pregnancies and abortions.

If Costa Rica approves the use of the morning after pill, it will be used on women who suffer from rapes. Every year more than one thousand women are attacked and raped in Costa Rica (Aguilar, 2008). If this pill is available for them in the Social Security, these women with this special situation can receive it and prevent a pregnancy because as Delvin explains, this pill makes the ovaries cannot release an egg (2008). By preventing a pregnancy, they can overcome the trauma easier, and they can avoid having a baby they did not plan.

In addition, the morning after pill will be useful when the contraceptive method fails. According to Delvin, sometimes condoms can fail (2008). This means that a condom can tear or, it can fall out of place it was not properly placed. Moreover, women can forget to take one of the contraceptive pills. In any of both cases, if the pill is available for Costa Rican women, they can go to a public hospital and ask for them and so, they will prevent a pregnancy or an abortion.

Finally, the morning after pill should be legalized because it does not have medical counter indications. Unlike other contraceptive methods that are not recommended for women who smoke; women who suffer from cardiac diseases or, women older than 35, the post-day pill can be used by any women. This happens because as Delvins explains, a woman just needs one doses of this pill (2008). That means that women do not need a pill everyday as in regular contraceptive methods; they just need one dose to protect themselves.

But some people argue that the post-day pill should not be legalized because it is abortive. However, it is not true. According to Delvin, this pill is not abortive because it does not work if a woman is already pregnant (2008). That means that this pill is not effective if the egg is already implanted in the uterus. In addition, some people argument that this pill has side effects. Even though this argument is true, people have to remember that this pill is a medication, and all medications have side effects. In addition, not everybody is going to suffer from them. For this reason, not all women are going to feel sick when they take the morning after pill.

To avoid more confusion about the post-day pill, the Costa Rican government can give information about how and when use the pill because as Delvin explains, it has to be used in the first 72 hours after having unprotected sex (2008). This is necessary because the pill just works within this time. Also, the government has to clarify the myths related to the use of this pill because many people have wrong ideas about it like it causes abortions or, that it is dangerous for women.

Because it can prevent pregnancies when a woman is rapped; it is effective when the contraceptive method fails, and any woman can use it, it is important to legalize the post-day pill in Costa Rica. It is the moment to take actions and to prevent more unplanned pregnancies and abortions in the country so, why not legalize the pill to avoid them?

Alejandra Mesen