College is a period of discovery, whether it is educational, spiritual or political. It can also be sexual, a difficult subject to talk about when perceptions about sex and relationships conflict.

     This was the topic of discussion in Club LaRiccia Tuesday night: "Hooking Up and Breaking Down: The Missing Link in Relationships.” Sponsored by the Gannon Social Work Club, Students for Life and Student Health Services, the discussion brought together representatives from WC2 ed, a division of the Women’s Care Center, and hip hop artist/speaker Los 1 to reinforce the need for healthy relationships.

     Presentation specialist Patty Fitzgerald said that her college experience was important for her personal growth.

     "College was a time to make or break me – a defining time,” she said. "Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to healthy relationships.”

     The discussion emphasized the four C’s of dating and relationships: communication, cohabitation, consequences and commitment – topics that are often taboo in many relationships. Students were encouraged to interact (pictured below - Katie Cogswell/ Knight) with a panel of their peers and with married couples who discussed issues ranging from first impressions and true love to separation and divorce.

     In between role-playing activities, the powerful lyrics of Los 1’s "LifeSkills” CD permeated the room speaking to students about having a positive self-image, making good choices and respecting themselves. Trained to teach lessons on character and sexual purity to teens, the Brooklyn native uses his music to reinforce learning as he travels from school to school across America.

     Los 1 (pictured above - Katie Cogswell/ Knight) said the main issue is perception.

     "Kids today see sex in the media, on TV, in music, in school and they need a way to navigate through all of it,” he said. "We need to teach these kids to care about themselves.”

     Social Work Club President Chris Frye said that sex and relationships need to be discussed.

     "It’s real-life stuff and it’s not to be played with,” the senior social work major said. "Having advice from professionals instead of friends can help students make better choices in their relationships.”

     Sophomore nursing major Katie Bauer said that the most important thing couples can have in a relationship is compatibility.

     "Know your values and stick to them,” Bauer said. "Know what you want out of the relationship and figure out your boundaries early on.” 

     Sophomore occupational therapy major Maria Crawford said that couples should also be able to trust their partners in any situation.

     According to its Web site, the Women’s Care Center in Erie’s motto says it strives to faithfully empower teens to make the best decisions for their future by teaching values of character, healthy relationships and marriage.

     "Our goal is to help these youth achieve optimal health and the best life advantage,” Fitzgerald said.

     "Prevention is key because that’s how we avoid becoming just another statistic. Its never easy, but it’s common sense: anything worth having is worth working for.”

     For more information about the Women’s Care Center, go to www.wc2ed.org.

     Music from Los 1 can be found at www.Los1.com.

KRISTA MERSHIMER

mershime001@gannon.edu