By Liv Ainsworth, Sexperts
Consent is the active agreement between people who are engaging in sexual activity.
Consent can be withdrawn at any point of time in a variety of ways.
Consent can look like a lot of different things for different people.
Just because someone gave consent previously doesn’t mean that there is consent for the present or in the future.
Asking for consent
Getting consent…
…and not.
Communication, honesty, and respect make sexual relationships better because it provides a vessel for people to bring their full selves to the table. It is extremely important to recognize that you and your sexuality don’t belong to anyone but yourself. Communicating your needs, desires, and hopes to your partner(s) also make for a much more pleasurable sexual experience.
In a culture where the power often lies in the hands of the patriarchy, consent is a way for people to regain their power and take control of their bodies and make their own choices. When you are informed, know your rights, and feel empowered, you have the ability to make the best choices for you and your body and can help others do the same.
Many people are either experiencing sexual violence or are the perpetrators of sexual violence. In order to bring about positive change, we need to start talking about consent and understanding that we all need to be an active part of the change.
It isn’t right that so many people (men, women, trans folx, and gnc people) experience sexual violence, and that is why we need to start teaching people to have these radical conversations with each other before sex. Consent helps us regain control and power over our own bodies and to ensure that others are doing the same.
Listen to these songs and figure out what their messages are about consent and communication.
Popular music is often a reflection of our cultural values and has continued to reveal misunderstandings and blatant disregard for consent (Blurred Lines, anyone?).