straight edge and sex
the discussion about leather and being vegan kind of touched on this subject. i didn't want to get into it there (to avoid confusing issues), but i feel like its worth thinking about. probably because i think my take on it is different than your average sxe kid. well, i guess my take is that sex shouldn't be a part of straight edge at all. why?
well, rationally it doesn't make sense, especially from the perspective of the song (i'll assume) it was taken from.
"i don't drink, i don't smoke, i don't fuck, at least i can fucking think"
(as a side note, we should note that this is not the song titled "Straight Edge," yet this is where the straight edge community has rallied around for a definition. the actual song "Straight Edge" only talks about drug use, and doesn't mention sexuality at all.)
so, taking the song lyrics from "Out of Step" above, which never mentions the words "straight edge", a connotation and interpretation of the stance of straight edge towards sexuality has been developed. this is most commonly interpreted as "no promiscuity" - which is problematic on its own, of course because that is totally open to individual interpretation.
my argument is this: if we as a community are going to take the above definition as what it is to be straight edge then rationally we should apply all of the components the same. for instance it makes no sense that:
"i don't smoke" = no smoking,
"i don't drink" = no drinking,
yet "i don't fuck" = i sometimes have sex in certain contexts.
the same should apply to all three equally if we are using this as the basis for our definition of what straight edge is.
conversely, if we are allowing interpretation of one item then we should allow it for all three, possibly taking the author's own perspective into account. he mentioned numerous times that the point was to not let anything control your thinking, and used those three examples. he could also have been talking about "playing golf" or even video games, which i think a lot of straight edge kids are fairly obsessed with.
so, if straight edge involves human sexuality, and we are taking our cues from that song, then people who are straight edge should either completely abstain from sex, or be open to the label also including those who choose not to over-indulge in drugs or alcohol. if sex is prohibited depending upon context, then the same should apply to the other keystones of the belief.
to be clear: i'm definitely NOT saying that this is where our definition should come from. what i am saying is that it is irrational to frame things the way they have been framed (fairly hypocritically) in the straight edge community. i mean firstly the word "fuck" has been defined (self-servingly) to mean promiscuity, and not sexual intercourse. but even so, what defines promiscuity? which acts are permitted and which are not? who is to say if a relationship is going to be long term or "committed"? its entirely possible to be in a relationship with someone for a year without any sexual interaction, to then have sex and break up a day later.
i'm losing my train of thought due to cold temperatures, but basically the whole thing makes no sense at all and should be disregarded in my opinion. or if not disregarded, those that claim straight edge should totally abstain from sexual contact, regardless of their relationship status.
i think straight edge is about avoiding unnecessary substances and maintaining mental clarity (or the possibility of losing mental clarity), and avoiding addiction/reliance to/on these substances.
xvx
well, rationally it doesn't make sense, especially from the perspective of the song (i'll assume) it was taken from.
"i don't drink, i don't smoke, i don't fuck, at least i can fucking think"
(as a side note, we should note that this is not the song titled "Straight Edge," yet this is where the straight edge community has rallied around for a definition. the actual song "Straight Edge" only talks about drug use, and doesn't mention sexuality at all.)
so, taking the song lyrics from "Out of Step" above, which never mentions the words "straight edge", a connotation and interpretation of the stance of straight edge towards sexuality has been developed. this is most commonly interpreted as "no promiscuity" - which is problematic on its own, of course because that is totally open to individual interpretation.
my argument is this: if we as a community are going to take the above definition as what it is to be straight edge then rationally we should apply all of the components the same. for instance it makes no sense that:
"i don't smoke" = no smoking,
"i don't drink" = no drinking,
yet "i don't fuck" = i sometimes have sex in certain contexts.
the same should apply to all three equally if we are using this as the basis for our definition of what straight edge is.
conversely, if we are allowing interpretation of one item then we should allow it for all three, possibly taking the author's own perspective into account. he mentioned numerous times that the point was to not let anything control your thinking, and used those three examples. he could also have been talking about "playing golf" or even video games, which i think a lot of straight edge kids are fairly obsessed with.
so, if straight edge involves human sexuality, and we are taking our cues from that song, then people who are straight edge should either completely abstain from sex, or be open to the label also including those who choose not to over-indulge in drugs or alcohol. if sex is prohibited depending upon context, then the same should apply to the other keystones of the belief.
to be clear: i'm definitely NOT saying that this is where our definition should come from. what i am saying is that it is irrational to frame things the way they have been framed (fairly hypocritically) in the straight edge community. i mean firstly the word "fuck" has been defined (self-servingly) to mean promiscuity, and not sexual intercourse. but even so, what defines promiscuity? which acts are permitted and which are not? who is to say if a relationship is going to be long term or "committed"? its entirely possible to be in a relationship with someone for a year without any sexual interaction, to then have sex and break up a day later.
i'm losing my train of thought due to cold temperatures, but basically the whole thing makes no sense at all and should be disregarded in my opinion. or if not disregarded, those that claim straight edge should totally abstain from sexual contact, regardless of their relationship status.
i think straight edge is about avoiding unnecessary substances and maintaining mental clarity (or the possibility of losing mental clarity), and avoiding addiction/reliance to/on these substances.
xvx