Whitman Wire

From the Archives: Schools shape sexual culture

Spencer Wharton, Opinion Writer • April 13, 2023

This article originally appeared in the May 2, 2013 issue of The Whitman Wire. Dear Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association: Earlier this year, the Chicago...

Let’s talk about sex

Hailey Livingston, Columnist • February 17, 2022

College students have sex. A lot. We’re all mature—let's accept that simply undeniable truth. It’s fine if you don’t—I commend your commitment or whatever reasoning, but it’s pretty darn...

Inclusive sexual education matters

Camilla Tarpey-Schwed, Columnist • April 9, 2021

Do you remember your middle or high school sexual education class? I do. In 8th grade, my sex ed teacher discussed heterosexual relationships and contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy. Very little...

Schools Shape Sexual Culture

Spencer Wharton • May 2, 2013

Chicago Public Schools' recent decision to begin comprehensive sex-ed in Kindergarten is a critical step in ensuring that students will have the skills to build healthy relationships founded on mutual respect and consent.

Neither party stellar on sex ed

Spencer Wharton • October 25, 2012

Both the Republican and Democratic parties' platforms address sex education, but even the Democrats' stance falls short. Voting for Obama's â€œevidence-based and age-appropriate sex educationâ€ is a step in the right direction, but we ought to demand so much more.

Who I Am (and Why That Matters)

Spencer Wharton • October 10, 2012

Any advice columnist is going to draw on their own life experiences when writing advice. Sure, not solely, or even primarily––even the columnists with the most interesting lives couldn't experience...

Defining ‘normal’ needlessly moralizes sex

Spencer Wharton • September 27, 2012

What is normal when it comes to sex? We need to be careful when answering this question to not conflate two very different definitions of normal, both of which are problematic.

Sexcetera: Open discussion makes sex more satisfying

Spencer Wharton • September 13, 2012

Despite being generally critical about the world, many Whitties are uncomfortable talking openly about sex. This taboo leaves us less fulfilled by our sexual experiences, shields us from the variety of sexual experiences, and at worst contributes to a culture which permits sexual assault.

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