The Piedmont Highlander

The Student News Site of Piedmont High School

The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Pressure precedes fantasy league

The uncovering of a Fantasy Slut League among athletes has spark discussion about sexual pressures between students. As part of its investigation, the Piedmont Highlander talked with 25 trusted sophomore, junior, and senior girls and eight junior and senior boys about pressure to engage in sexual activity.

Four out of 25 girls said they have felt pressure from guys to “hook up” at parties.  However, they said pressure is not necessarily related to leagues such as the FSL.

“My friends and I have encountered pressure to hook up with guys,” a female student said.  “Boys would be like ‘drink some more’ or ‘let’s go upstairs’.  It was stuff we could fend off, but very touchy and kind of aggressive.”

“There’s an underlying societal pressure that if you go out and drink you will end up hooking up,” a female student said.

25 of the 25 girls said that people usually drink at parties.  However, all 25 girls also agreed that it is entirely the girls’ decision to drink.

One girl said there needs to be more of a mutual understanding between girls and guys that if a girl starts to say no or a guy is getting the vibe, he needs to stop and not ask why.  It’s hard enough for girls to say no and guys need to respect their decisions, she said.

Another girl said that they should not lead guys on and give them the idea that they want to hook up, and then say they feel victimized by a guy who tries to.  That’s just not a fair accusation, she said.

Wellness Center health educator Karen Blanpied said that teenagers sometimes encounter pressure to have sex with girlfriends or boyfriends. This pressure is either internal, coming from one of the students in the relationship, or internal, coming from those who are not involved, she said.

To avoid this pressure to have sex, Blanpied said partners should openly discuss sex. She suggests students decide when they want to have sex. If students succumb to pressures brought by others, they could engage in sex before they are ready, she said.

“It is good to check with yourself,” Blanpied said. “If you’re feeling pressure, acknowledge it.”

One partner should not have to convince the other to have sex, Blanpied said.

“If you are talking someone else into it, that is a red flag to stop,” she said. “You shouldn’t have to cajole someone into it.”

Blanpied has answered many students’ questions about when to have sex. Students who do not feel ready should wait, she said.

“Sex isn’t ice cream,” Blanpied said. “It is not going to melt. It will always be there.”

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Piedmont Highlander

Your donation will support the student journalists of Piedmont High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to The Piedmont Highlander

Comments (0)

All The Piedmont Highlander Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *