On January January 17th, 2013, I made an appointment with Temple University Student Health Services for a gynecology exam. In the exam room hung a poster entitled "101 Reasons to be Abstinent." The sign included reasons such as :
"You will be a better role-model for your friends"
"Don't have to shave your legs all the time"
-"You don't have to wear your best underwear"
-"Sticking to a decision can give you confidence"
-"Can focus on your career"
-"You will get better grades"
"Your parents will be happier with you"
This sign is offensive for three main reasons
1) Temple University is a non-religious and non-partican institution and this poster uses moral judgement to guilt women into feeling ashamed about their sexuality. There is nothing wrong with providing factual, judgement-free reasons why abstinence is effective (ex: not having to worry about pregnancy or STDs.) However, suggesting that a woman is a "better role model" or "more confident" if she is not sexually active suggests that women who DO have sex are less worthy of respect. Temple Univeristy, an institution that prides itself in its diverse student body has no place hanging "slut-shaming" posters.
2)This poster is sexist because it is directly targeted at women. To suggest that a women who IS sexually active should be expected to shave her legs and wear her "best underwear" is misogynisitic and completely unnacceptable.
3) Hanging a poster in gynecology office such as "101 Reasons to be Abinstinant" is insensitive to the women who are going there to recieve treatment for sexual assault and rape. These women did not have a choice in engaging in sexual activity. To put a jarring, judgemental poster such as "101 Reasons to be Abinstinant" in the face of a woman who has survived rape could trigger traumatic flashbacks and further reinforce feelings of guilt and shame.
