Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in , sex has become inherently more serious, and the stakes are higher than ever for couples who can get pregnant. Access to birth control is teetering on thin ice. Let me be clear: Sex has always been fundamentally more complicated for women than for men.
But in our current political climate, the risk for women is greater than ever. To gather concrete tips, I spoke with women across the country, so they could tell you exactly what they want from the men they are sleeping with. Another reason why providing condoms is key, especially in a casual hook-up setting? To ease the morning after anxiety. The best thing you can do is assume condoms will be used, and let her lead the way if she wants to forgo. Caroline is a year-old living in Atlanta, Georgiaβone of the states with a trigger law banning abortion at around 6 weeks of pregnancy.
You have to come prepared. For example: "Are you using birth control? Do you mind sharing how it works for you? How does it impact your sexual experience, and how can I help ease any difficulty? This advice truly applies to every sexual encounter, whether it be the very first bang or years into a relationshipβsafety and comfort is crucial for all parties involved.
So, what does a safe space, or safe person, look like? For Sarah, she feels most at ease with a partner who who validates her feelings about the state of our reproductive freedom. It's a very scary time. I'm also scared. Cultivating safety and security can go beyond being a validation kink.
For me, I feel the safest when consent is loud and clear. For year-old Chelsea, pregnancy comes with a lot of risks. Chelsea and her partner may want kids in the future, but an unplanned pregnancy could be as severe as life or deathβfor her, and for the fetus. The best thing her partner does to help? He talks through the What Ifs. What if I need Plan B? What if I need to cross state lines for an abortion? As a man in a partnership, if you are able to bring those thoughts outside of her internal dialogue and in turn become a sounding board, I guarantee that she will feel less alone.
