Students get freaky in bed 

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The results of Playboy’s 2009 College Sex Survey have solidified a common stereotype: College students like sex. A lot of sex.

A survey was posted on Playboy’s Web site this summer targeted at the college-aged crowd probing for information about their masturbation and sexual routines, as well as quirky habits. More than 5,000 male and female students nationwide responded to create some over-the-top and shocking statistics.

Of the students surveyed, 15 percent have sex daily, 43 percent do it weekly and only 17 percent confessed to still being virgins. Forty-one percent of the surveyed crowd claimed to know someone who has had a sexual relation with a professor or teacher’s assistant.
Students at Youngstown State University seemed to have the same reaction; the statistics were maybe not the most legitimately researched, but were eye-opening and somewhat truthful nonetheless.

“I think the professor statistic is really high,” junior Keith Stinson said. “That’s kind of messed up; I guess people are kind of freaky.”

Junior Mike Morrell said Playboy’s reputation leads him to believe that the survey is genuine.
“I think they’re more professional,” he said. “They tend to come across as classy … I think it might have some merit to it.”

Almost half of the surveyed students admitted to having anal sex at least once. The statistic didn’t seem high to Morrell.

“[That number] is not astonishing. I think people are exploring a lot more these days,” Morrell said. “That’s actually not that surprising to me. If you’ve got someone that you’re close with, I think that’s totally all right.”

The survey also dived deep into personal grooming, asking the students what they expect to see in the opposite sex’s grooming techniques. Playboy cited that 37 percent of men would like to see women sporting a Brazilian style, and 59 percent of women would rather a guy trim his private area.

Freshman Scott Heck said he doesn’t exactly have a preference with a woman’s choice of grooming style.

“As long as I don’t have to use a machete to get through there, I don’t care,” he said.

Playboy also included questions about sex and technology. Twenty-five percent of students have met a hookup on the Internet, while 26 percent have used a webcam to aid in a sexual experience. “Sexting,” the term given to sending out sexually explicit messages and pictures via cell phones, has also become extremely popular, with 49 percent admitting to having sent or received these types of messages.

“A picture is worth a thousand texts,” senior Steve Petterson said. “They’re all free with an unlimited texting plan.”

YSU psychology professor Steve Ellyson said although the poll results are interesting, they likely do not hold a lot of scientific weight.

Since the poll was conducted online, a random sample was not surveyed. Ellyson said those who responded were probably “people more interested in the topic.”

“This is true with a lot of polls. There’s a bias in the selection,” Ellyson said. “You can’t just let people self select … those who respond are probably more comfortable or more active.”

Ellyson said he hoped not too many students think the statistics are completely accurate.

“[The results] are fun to talk about, but I’m not going to incorporate them into my Human Sexuality lectures,” Ellyson said, adding that he’s taught the class for about 20 years.

Playboy associate editor Rocky Rakovic said the survey functioned in two ways: To determine typical sexual activity on campus and to see what role technology plays in the sex lives of students.

“Outside of a small circle of friends, you’re not really sure what’s going on with other people,” Rakovic said. “It’s not shock value we’re going for … we’re not judging, we’re just giving data.”
Rakovic said “sex is still taboo in some circles,” and that some statistics, especially the anal sex numbers, “make more people flinch.”

Additionally, the results are indicative of the transfer of technologies, including Facebook and cell phones, to sex. Rakovic said it’s a “weird thing” that almost everyone has cell phone cameras in their pockets.

“It’s foreign,” Rakovic said, adding that most cell phones did not have cameras while he was in college. “It’s interesting to see what happens when you throw in other factors.”

Rakovic said the magazine decided to take the “anonymous route” for this year’s survey, and not ask participants for name, grade or school.

“We’re not intruding on privacy,” Rakovic said. Rakovic said this approach wouldn’t pinpoint students, making them more likely to answer questions truthfully.