Sex research shows more talk needed

Sex proved to be a hot topic last week when two events – one televised – homed in on sex education and greater awareness of the subject among all ages.

ABC’s typically political show, Q&A, stacked its panel with Germaine Greer, porn pastor, Craig Gross, cabaret artist Christa Hughes, journalist Benjamin Law and political strategist Toby Ralph.

The night was bound to dive into controversy and anyone could have bet that gender- and sex-related topics would be on the menu.

While the panel candidly discussed a variety of talking points including the Prime Minister’s speech skills (or lack thereof), her preferred attire of tight jackets and remnants of the White Australia policy, the conversation soon focused on sex and the need for more open dialogue.

Brisbane-based writer Benjamin Law said he has watched educators as they address sex education in schools. “Some educators say taking the pill is tantamount to abortion,” he said.

“Some say condoms break all the time so save yourself for marriage.” He said the most outrageous teaching he heard was that homosexuality was caused by traumatic child abuse.

Mr Law said that he believed porn should be discussed in schools to educate youth about the realities of sexual experiences. “Eighty per cent of males aged 16 to 17 years are watching porn. Their first exposure to sex is not first-hand and it’s not realistic,” he said.

American author and pastor Craig Gross founded the website XXXchurch.com for those who were addicted to pornography and those who worked in the industry. He said sex education should begin at home. “It should not just be the conversation but several. Many kids are misinformed.”

Mr Gross said most don’t realise that porn stars are paid double for performing anal sex, compared to vaginal sex, projecting the image that most women enjoy this type of intercourse over the traditional mode. At this point, cabaret star Christa Hughes interjected: “Bring pussy back to porn! I’ve been saying that for ages.”

At the other end of the city, a more subdued talk about sex took place on Tuesday, March 20 in the Customs House Library.

Medical director of Family Planning NSW, Dr Deborah Bateson spoke about older women and safe sex practices, relaying the findings of a 2011 study conducted with three other researchers.

The study published by CSIRO was based on 1788 online surveys and found that women over 40 years are less likely to use condoms during intercourse than younger women.

The surveys were linked to the online dating site RSVP and were used to determine the attitudes of older and younger women toward safe-sex practices.

Dr Bateson said: “The impetus for the research was the increasing numbers of women aged 40-60 years who were coming into clinics and being diagnosed with STIs or being tested for STIs.”

According to the questionnaires, over 40 per cent of the surveyed women found sexual partners online in the previous year. “Some are re-partnering or with their first partners,” she said.

“The key thing is just to start talking about it … We are now developing an awareness campaign involving some of the people from the surveys.”