First off, kudos to the high school students who felt compelled to discuss the issue of ‘friends with benefits’ in Montrose, Pa. It is important for such topics to be brought to the forefront, for teenagers and college students alike very often feel stuck in related sexual situations with no foreseeable way out. There are many ways to discuss such issues, and the students in Montrose should be applauded for taking such a mature viewpoint at such a young age.

While Mr. Strub presents an important viewpoint that I’m sure many students here at Binghamton would agree with, it is also important to point out that the columns he references from Pipe Dream, dated Feb. 16 and March 2, were written from only one general viewpoint, as opposed to the varying viewpoints presented by the high-schoolers in their article. Also, it is important to mention that the columns he cites are intended to be read as satires, thus combining elements of sarcasm, jest and wit in order to poke fun at the follies of men (and women). They are, by no means, meant to be end-all statements on how men act, think and interact, both with members of their sex as well as members of the opposite sex. In fact, there are a number of Pipe Dream columnists who routinely comment on relationships and sex in multiple ways, both serious and in jest.

While opinions vary on sexual issues all the time and it is easy to point out the follies of men ‘ more specifically, one man ‘ while discussing how slanted some articles on hotbed sexual topics can be, it is important to remember that people have a right to express their opinions. It’s unfortunate that the high school and surrounding community of Montrose, Pa., feel the need to censor their children for discussing such issues, but should we feel the need to censor ourselves in an environment where finding yourself and your voice, and using your right to free speech are the very elements that make college so special?

I leave the choice up to you, whether you’re an ardent abstainer or a naughty nymph.

Sincerely,

Jake Altman