Bridget Between the Sheets

Recently at a cocktail party I overheard a group of people talking about the decline of our culture in reference to the new college age practice of “hooking up”.  One of the men in the group works at our local University and was saying that the decline of dating and relationships in favor of casual sex is hurting the female population of the university and was a reflection of the lack of family values permeating our culture.  Why weren’t women respecting themselves enough to stand up for a commitment from the guys before giving the milk away?

Of course my interest was piqued.  Why was he so interested in the mental health of the women and not the men?  Why wasn’t he talking about the physical health of those young people?  Why was it so important to him that those students have relationships?   Didn’t his generation invent “free love” in the 1960’s?

Hooking up has of course always been around.  Women and men have been engaging in casual sex since time began.  However it has been in and out of style for just as long.  If adults choose to engage in casual sex without a commitment and choose to do so safely what concern is it of ours?  Are men who do so treated differently than women?  Do I even have to answer that question?

Back to the party guy’s insistence that this is an affront to women.  Last time I checked women were as capable as guys at making decisions for ourselves unless of course there is force involved.  Women have the power and ability to choose casual sex for themselves for whatever reason.  Some feel they don’t want relationships taking up their time or their hearts.  Many are focusing on their schooling or careers and don’t have time or energy for the drama that a relationship can bring to an already hectic life.

Of course sex without intimacy has its limits and participants have to know that up front.   Your Saturday night hookup will probably not bring you soup when you are sick, or care that it is your birthday next week.  If that bothers you, than the hook up is not for you. However if you aren’t in the mood for all the relationship drama and you can find a partner with the same goals you have, it can be a great deal.  Sex when you want it, hopefully how you want it.  Sexual freedom on your own terms.

Even with your hookup it is important to have the conversation about safer sex, condoms, sexually transmitted infections and boundaries.  Make sure you are physically and mentally ready for the demands of a casual affair.  Because in the end it is all up to you!

THE FUTURE OF CHOICE AND WOMEN’S HEALTH
IS IN THEIR HANDS.

When it passed a historic health care reform bill, the House also adopted the Stupak amendment, a dangerous piece of legislation that would ban abortion from private and public insurance plans for millions of American women. Fortunately, the fight for women’s health didn’t end in the House, and our sharp focus is now on the Senate. We are demanding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ensure that language similar to the Stupak amendment does not become part of the Senate health care reform bill.

It’s time for our leaders to stand up and ensure that women’s health is treated fairly in health care reform. President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and Speaker Pelosi have the power to put a stop to the discriminatory Stupak ban — and it’s up to us to help them do it. Fill out the form below to sign our petition and join the millions of Americans who are speaking out to protect women’s health and the right to choose.

Speaking out now is crucial — but it is only the first step. Join us in DC on December 2 for a National Day of Action, when Planned Parenthood and our allies will be taking our message straight to the Hill.

Q: Does it take longer for a woman to reach orgasm than it does for a man?  Why?

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A: It depends on what kind of sex play they are having. During masturbation, for example, women and men reach orgasm in similar amounts of time. On the average, women reach orgasm in a little less than four minutes. The average for men is between two and three minutes. Quite similar.

The difference in the time it takes women and men to reach orgasm during foreplay and vaginal intercourse is greater than it is for masturbation.  While, on the average, it takes women 10-20 minutes, it usually doesn’t take men as long.  Single men, on the average, take seven minutes.  Married men take 14.  But these are averages that include men who take a lot longer to reach orgasm as well as those who don’t take nearly as long.  Most men, in fact, take only two minutes after penetration. Interestingly, the first few orgasmic contractions for women and men happen at exactly the same intervals — 0.8 seconds. (That may be why some couples find simultaneous orgasm so compelling.)  Men average four to six of them.  Women, six to 10.

Although there are plenty of theories, we don’t know for sure the biological reasons, if any, for why most women need more time than men to reach orgasm during sex play.  But we do know some of the psychological and social reasons:

•  Women’s sexual and reproductive anatomy has been misunderstood throughout thousands of years of western and eastern history. Not until the latter half of the 20th century were women expected to understand their own sexual anatomy or to explore the ways they might experience sexual pleasure. Many women, today, don’t know how to reach orgasm through masturbation or through partnered sex play. This lack of understanding can inhibit the sexual arousal and excitement needed to reach orgasm.

•  Most women experience orgasm through clitoral stimulation. But in most women, the clitoris is positioned in such a way that it is often not stimulated during vaginal intercourse. So in cultures like ours, that place a high value on vaginal intercourse, many women do not receive sufficient clitoral stimulation to bring them to orgasm more quickly, if at all. In most kinds of partnered sex play — manual, body-rubbing, oral, anal, or vaginal — a man’s penis is directly stimulated. This is often not true for a woman’s clitoris.

•  In cultures like ours, there are many reasons for women to feel sexually inhibited. Many women feel anxious about unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. They may worry whether they’ve picked the right partner or if their partner is faithful. And many women feel anxious about whether they should really enjoy themselves sexually. All of these concerns, and others, can lead to performance anxiety that reduces a woman’s ability to relax and enjoy her sexuality.

By Laura Hughes, VOX Coordinator for WWU.

At the Capitol July 15th-17th, 200 youth volunteers joined affiliates nationwide for Planned Parenthood’s annual Policy & Organizing Summit. Representatives from Mt. Baker’s VOX (Voices for Planned Parenthood) used the summit as an opportunity to network with other youth leaders around the country, take workshops, and most importantly, lobby at the Capitol for Health Care reform.

Planned Parenthood’s Lobby Day at the Capitol included 250 meetings with legislators to articulate our nation’s need for reform. As a young lobbyist and advocate for equal, affordable access to health care, it was thrilling to talk on a personal level with Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell to tell her why reproductive health care is something everyone needs. Just as powerful as knowing my own voice was heard, it was inspiring to see the other youth representatives exercising our right to be a visible, vocal presence in our Capitol, and to know we made an impact!

A hot day lobbying at the Capitol!

Real reform includes women’s health care!

Speaking with Cecile Richards: the highlight of my day!

All the Planned Parenthood staff and representatives gathered on the steps of the Capitol for pictures after a hard day’s work!

Representing Mt. Baker’s VOX were Laura Hughes and Michael Lang, proud and happy to be a part of the Summit! The average age of this year’s conference was 25!

Thanks to Laura and Stephanie and all the MBPP representatives! You guys are amazing.

Mt Baker Planned Parenthood is currently seeking a full time Medical Assistant to provide family planning and reproductive health care at our busy Bellingham clinic. Candidates who are bilingual and able to provide translation services for Spanish speaking patients are strongly preferred.

Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood is a non-profit family planning organization that has been helping women, men and teens make responsible choices about their sexual health for nearly 40 years. More information about Mt Baker Planned Parenthood, including our mission, philosophy, and services provided can be found at www.plannedparenthood.org/mbpp

Medical Assistant job duties will include patient education, providing technical and clinical support for health care providers, performing routine and specialized lab tests, monitoring post-surgical patient recovery, and assisting with the coordination of patient flow.

Qualified applicants must be:
• willing to work a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings
• have reliable transportation for travel between clinics

Strongly Preferred:
• Applicants with applicable work experience
• Knowledge of reproductive health topics
• Strong aptitude for technology including experience with electronic medical records
• Excellent communication skills
• Candidates who are bilingual in Spanish/English are strongly preferred

For more information on this position and an application for employment at Mt Baker Planned Parenthood, please send an e-mail to jobs@mbpp.org or call 360-603-7710. Deadline for applications is Friday, July 17, 2009. Mt Baker Planned Parenthood is an equal opportunity employer.

If you are looking for hands-on experience in the nonprofit medical field this might be the perfect opportunity for you! Mt Baker Planned Parenthood in Mount Vernon is seeking a full time, bilingual, health care assistant to provide front and back office patient services. Job duties will include medical reception, patient education, and basic patient care to family planning patients. This position is also responsible for the provision of translation services to patients who speak Spanish. Qualified applicants must have excellent communication skills in both Spanish and English; medical office, translation, and customer service experience strongly preferred. Mt Baker Planned Parenthood is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Mt Baker Planned Parenthood has been providing family planning and reproductive health services to women, men and teens in the local area for 40 years. Our goal is to ensure that every individual has the information, services, and freedom to make healthy, responsible decisions about sex, sexuality, and parenthood. For more information about our services please visit our website at www.plannedparenthood.org/mbpp

For further information and an application for this position please e-mail jobs@mbpp.org or call 360-603-7710. Applications must be submitted by no later than end of business hours Tuesday, June 23 2009

NEW YORK, NY — Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today issued the following statement on the murder of reproductive health care provider Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, KS.

“The entire Planned Parenthood family is deeply saddened by the murder of Dr. George Tiller. While he was not a Planned Parenthood provider, he was an integral part of our community and his loss is felt by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those close to him who are suffering a personal tragedy.

“Dr. Tiller was the epitome of high-quality medical care underscored by deep compassion for his patients. He provided critical reproductive health care services, including abortion services to women facing some of the most difficult medical circumstances. He was continually harassed by abortion opponents for much of his career — his clinic was burned down; he was shot by a health center protester; and he was recently targeted for investigation only to be acquitted by a jury just a few months ago. None of this stopped George Tiller from his commitment to providing women and their families with compassionate care that others were unwilling to offer.

“His death is an enormous loss for the patients who relied on him, his dedicated staff, the medical community and for women and their families across America.”

###Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 880 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.