Educated about the dangers of STDs

Educated about the dangers of STDs, date rape, and date rape drugs, many students are understandably vigilant about sexual encounters. As one senior puts it, "People are cautious about who they meet and what they do. There's a lot to be nervous about. This isn't the sixties."
On the other hand, 18- to 22-year-olds often throw caution to the winds. A 2001 survey by the American College Health Association indicated that approximately 60 percent of sexually active students are having unprotected sex.
Most campuses provide workshops and seminars on sexuality ... from the "When I Say No, I Mean It" variety, to popular programs featuring celebrities like radio and TV personality Dr. Drew. When peer educators run workshops for their fellow students, frank discussions usually follow – discussions that would not take place in the presence of an administrator or faculty member. Parents might be surprised to see posters and banners promoting Sex Week, a health education series that's become popular at many schools. On one idyllic-looking campus, a laminated banner hanging between two giant oak trees announced "SEX WEEK: IT'S ORGASMIC." Bulletin boards around campus were covered with flyers highlighting the events for the week: "Sex Bowl" on Monday, "Condom Olympics" on Tuesday, "Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition" on Wednesday, "Bisexuality Discussion Group" on Thursday, and "Sexually Speaking," a lecture by the famous Dr. Ruth, on Friday. Right after Sex Week, one young woman called to warn her parents, who were coming to visit, "Don't freak when you come to my room. My roommate was handing out condoms during Sex Week. She used the leftovers to spell out 'Safe Sex' on our wall. It's just a decoration!"