Too often professional athletes are in the news because of misconduct.
It's time they regain the moral high ground, earn society's respect and once more serve as role models for our kids.
It's time they regain the moral high ground, earn society's respect and once more serve as role models for our kids.
Sex Ethics Guide for Men
The NFL, after a series of inappropriate and criminal behaviors on the part of some of its star athletes, has taken a bold and decisive stand toward ending domestic violence and sexual assault. This is a courageous move and the NFL needs to be applauded for bringing to the light those shadows of our culture that have been largely ignored and cast aside.
PSAs and promotions such as the “Speechless” campaign are powerful in their ability to bring attention to this national epidemic, and they need to be supplemented with realistic training for the young men who so often find themselves in the midst of conflicting cultural messages. Sexuality itself is a difficult conversation for us to have in our culture.
The No More Campaign is groundbreaking in its insistence that domestic violence and sexual assault are inexcusable, and that to stay silent about such actions is to contribute to the problem. Everyone who is involved in the campaign needs to be acknowledged for their courage in playing such a pivotal role in ending a culture of violence and rape.
This is a critical juncture. While the NFL is sending a clear message about what not to do, there needs to be follow up conversation that recognizes what young men should do when it comes to healthy decisions about relationships and sexual activity. We need to provide the information and tools for men to make wise decisions about being sexual in the today’s culture. They need guidelines for navigating the confusing and contradictory messages they are subjected to on a regular basis. They need to know how to protect themselves, as well as how to treat and respect their partner. Conversation is the beginning, but without providing clear direction, actions are unlikely to significantly change.
There is much talk these days about women’s empowerment, and that is a critical step in eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault. But it isn’t enough. Men also must be empowered. They need to become advocates and voices of change. And they also need to be empowered to make wise decisions regarding their own sexual choices.
Empowerment begins by having the right information and the right skill set to use that information. It includes evaluating one’s values and determining one’s actions ahead of time, rather than in the heat of the moment. It means staying calm and thinking things through when emotions get high, and it means staying connected to one’s emotions when thinking things through.
Sexual integrity is already a tightrope walk for many men in society today, but add to that the high profile, celebrity status of professional sports, and the stage is set for confusion, unintended outcomes, and long term consequences. This book and the Sextegrity workshop are both aimed at empowering men to treat themselves and their partners with compassion, dignity, and respect.
PSAs and promotions such as the “Speechless” campaign are powerful in their ability to bring attention to this national epidemic, and they need to be supplemented with realistic training for the young men who so often find themselves in the midst of conflicting cultural messages. Sexuality itself is a difficult conversation for us to have in our culture.
The No More Campaign is groundbreaking in its insistence that domestic violence and sexual assault are inexcusable, and that to stay silent about such actions is to contribute to the problem. Everyone who is involved in the campaign needs to be acknowledged for their courage in playing such a pivotal role in ending a culture of violence and rape.
This is a critical juncture. While the NFL is sending a clear message about what not to do, there needs to be follow up conversation that recognizes what young men should do when it comes to healthy decisions about relationships and sexual activity. We need to provide the information and tools for men to make wise decisions about being sexual in the today’s culture. They need guidelines for navigating the confusing and contradictory messages they are subjected to on a regular basis. They need to know how to protect themselves, as well as how to treat and respect their partner. Conversation is the beginning, but without providing clear direction, actions are unlikely to significantly change.
There is much talk these days about women’s empowerment, and that is a critical step in eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault. But it isn’t enough. Men also must be empowered. They need to become advocates and voices of change. And they also need to be empowered to make wise decisions regarding their own sexual choices.
Empowerment begins by having the right information and the right skill set to use that information. It includes evaluating one’s values and determining one’s actions ahead of time, rather than in the heat of the moment. It means staying calm and thinking things through when emotions get high, and it means staying connected to one’s emotions when thinking things through.
Sexual integrity is already a tightrope walk for many men in society today, but add to that the high profile, celebrity status of professional sports, and the stage is set for confusion, unintended outcomes, and long term consequences. This book and the Sextegrity workshop are both aimed at empowering men to treat themselves and their partners with compassion, dignity, and respect.
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