Let's Talk About Sexo
BY NYDIA MONROY
Originally, this article was going to address the differences and similarities of sex education across Latin America. Then I realized that I am by no means an expert, there is a limited number of Latinx faculty I could reach out to, and the subject deserves and requires more than an article to get a larger message across. Nevertheless, we must start somewhere, and as I brought up my ideas among friends who identify as Latinx, there was an eminent theme that arose surrounding sex talks in the Latinx community.
When discussing differences in sex education across the US, one of the primary differences is the varying laws and legislation that alter the way sex-ed is taught in a school in Chicago vs. a school in Dallas. The same applies to sex education from country to country. For example, in Mexico, where the Catholic Church serves as a dominating, highly-influential institution, there is an ingrained, traditional sex culture among its population. Some might ask: what does Latin America's sex culture have to do with my WashU bubble? Sex remains a largely taboo subject among our campus. In my experience, our campus, which is composed of a reported 7.42% Hispanic/Latino representation, has not always attempted to consider a Latinx perspective. If you're still trying to connect the dots, "Hispanic/Latino" - which is a whole other monster to tackle in terms of its exact definition - refers to students with roots in a Latin American or Spanish background, one with a perspective potentially differing from the "WashU norm". While we often discuss how liberal vs. conservative upbringings affect our understandings of sex, we rarely address how often neither of these forms of sex education serve the needs of the Latinx population. Let's talk about talking about sex, because "the talk", sex-ed, anything sex-related in a conversation with a white student can vary greatly from the experience of a Latinx student. Saying sex/sexo around my Mexican mother at the age of 13, would have led to very red cheeks and an uncomfortable knot in my throat. I probably would have fled the scene had my mother asked about my "relationships" - no, I don't count my 2-week boyfriend in 8th grade as a relationship - and sh*t would have hit the fan had she found out I had a boyfriend my first year of high school. In middle school we were taught about sex for a total of about 11 hours per school year, which was a mess in itself. However, in high school, when surrounded by majorly white peers, I was just like, what is going on? There was an awkward aura and it surpassed more than just the classroom being blatantly divided with “girls on one side and “boys” on the other. There is a distinct difference in reality, culture, and language surrounding sex related conversations based solely on cultural background. When asked "How do you think conversations around sex differ among Latinx students vs. your non-Latinx peers?", Latinx students answered with the following responses.
Although overall sex-related conversations have increased, and studies have shown the positive effects of well-taught and accurate sex-education, it's evident that among Latinx households these conversations have long been delayed. Upon hearing about different contraceptive options and birth control being covered by WashU's medical insurance and experiencing the overall "openness" previously mentioned, I initially felt disoriented, surprised, and even embarrassed. My loud, brown, and proud family had prepared me for WashU in many ways, my Latinx community had taught me an abundance of valuable lessons, and yet when it came to talking about sex, I now realized I lacked the basis to join the conversation altogether.
So now imagine being someone with a vagina, that's among 7.42% of a student body that now has XMag as an amazing outlet to really talk about all things sex. You best believe it will be a tool to pop a WashU bubble, to present the barriers and limitations surrounding sex-ed and sex-talk for the Latinx population, and to offer a different perspective on issues that must be addressed. Language barriers. Discriminatory treatment. Machismo. Access issues including costs/lack of insurance, transportation, limited interpreters, etc. Legal Status. Stigma. Taboos. The prioritization of work over health. Literacy. Fear. All these factors can directly affect sex conversations and sexual health among Latinx. So, let's talk about sex. Let's talk about sex and how we can bring about that conversation into other languages, other cultures, and realities, although they might not be your own, they are relevant and important nonetheless. |