Oral arguments

School board members and parents in Columbus, Ind., have had mixed reactions regarding a controversial newspaper spread about oral sex in the Columbus North High School newspaper. We say bravo to the newspaper staff for publishing such an article. \nThe four-page spread, titled "That Other Sex," discussed both the physical and psychological risks associated with oral sex. It included nationwide statistics about teenagers who engage in oral sex and articles about abstinence. Unfortunately, many parents, school board members and other members of the Columbus community think the spread should not have been published because it is inappropriate for high school students. Two teachers even refused to distribute the paper because of the article. A school board member ridiculously compared the article to something one might read in Hustler or Playboy, and another community member circulated a petition to ban articles of that nature from being published in the future. \nWe believe that however inappropriate people might believe the topic to be for high school students, the fact remains that if students are engaging in oral sex then the topic pertains to them. Not talking about it won't make it go away.\nThe article was a legitimate example of journalism aimed at educating students whose sexual behavior puts them at risk. This was by no means a raunchy article or one published simply for shock value. The outcry is moot.\nThe message these community members are sending out to the world and their children is that even though people, including teenagers, engage in oral sex, it's better to stick your head in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist rather than to discuss it in such a way that encourages responsible decision-making and safe sexual activity. \nSomeone should ask these community members which they find preferable: not talking about the issue and one day having their children come home with oral herpes, or letting the school newspaper publish an article that might make them uncomfortable but prevents unnecessary medical and psychological damage to a teenager? The Indiana Daily Student ran an article Tuesday on the Health & Science page about how many rural men in Indiana misuse condoms, the risks associated with such misuse and how to use them correctly. The article included a step-by-step diagram. No doubt this article probably made some people, even students, uncomfortable. But the fact of the matter is people misuse condoms. There are risks associated with condoms, and people can be taught to use them correctly. \nAs journalists, we believe our duty is to educate students about issues that affect them. As of now, Columbus North's principal is shielding his students by taking the heat from the community. We commend him and his student journalists for taking on a controversial issue at the risk of making a few parents squeamish.