It’s all negotiable

Star Observer Journalists
August 4, 2009

Since moving back home I have realised there are some subjects that shouldn’t be talked about with your parents. The first, telling them what you did on the weekend. The second, telling them who you did on the weekend. The technical term for this is TMI -” Too Much Information. So it has got me thinking; from where do we get our information when it comes to sex? I know that it is something that we never talked about in my family. As far as I know, my sister is still a virgin, my brother who has been in a relationship with his partner for the past eight years (living together for two) has never had sex. As for my parents … well, I think it’s safe to say we were all adopted.

So what are the rules when it comes to casual sex? Picking up? Having relationships? How do we know that what we are doing is right? I’m sure most of us have been involved in a relationship (either short or long-term) where something has happened and we’ve been left thinking … I got screwed, and not in a good way.

How do you negotiate the difference between a casual hook-up and something a little more long-term? What happens when you feel like you’re expected to do something even though you really don’t want to?

ACON is running two new groups for young people called Pillow Talk that just might help you explore these issues.

These groups are for young people between 16-26 who are interested in talking about sex, dating and everything in between. The groups look at how to become a confident communicator, negotiator and hopefully how you can get better sex along the way.

If this is something that may interest you or a friend, you can get more information online www.acon.org.au/youth or call ACON and speak to the youth team on 9206 2000.

info: If you want any information about groups, services, organisations or community events taking place in western Sydney, you can contact Matt Vaughan at ACON on 9206 2064 or [email protected].

Matt Vaughan is the Community Development and Liaison Officer for the ACON Western Sydney Community Development Team.