Let the Games Begin (Again and Again)
Every two years, the world’s greatest athletes gather to test the limits of the human body. These people have spent years preparing for the most competitive stage. Some events are so popular that even non-sports connoisseurs can recognize them. Others are so obscure that it seems like only a handful of athletes actually know the […]
Sex in Cyberspace
Gen Z is, apparently, in the midst of a sex recession. Though they have sex later and less frequently than previous generations, they are not necessarily any less horny. Instead, the new statistics may reflect a shift in Gen Z’s sexual expression, as with many other facets of modern life, into the digital sphere. The […]
Kissing, by the Numbers
*This chronology is organized by the first time I kissed each person. One. My first kiss was rushed, wet, and sloppy. I’d met my paramour in the brightly lit bathroom on the ground floor of our middle school English complex; as class continued overhead, we indulged in a covert embrace. I hated the kiss, but […]
The Hypocrisy of Sex in Politics
Why have men’s’ political careers remained seemingly indestructible in the face of sexual assault allegations while women face the brunt of repercussions? One-third of President Donald Trump’s original cabinet members have faced claims of sexual assault. The list includes currently employed members, like Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of War, who was accused of […]
The Lost Practice of Meeting Someone Organically
I have never once downloaded a dating app. Shocking, right? Nowadays, it seems like almost everyone has some sort of online dating platform installed on their phones; the ability to “make a match” just clicks away. Online dating platforms have exploded in popularity in recent years. Three in 10 U.S. adults report having used a […]
The Unsexy Panopticon
Our jaded elders like to describe Gen Z with a list of “don’ts”: Gen Zers don’t drink. Gen Zers don’t leave the house. Gen Zers don’t know how to work. Gen Zers don’t know how to socialize properly. Gen Zers don’t have sex. All of these don’ts, whether you view them as good or bad, […]
Who Are We Having Sex For?
In college culture today, “hooking up” involves more than simply having sex. Rather, sex has become equated with performance, and friends share details as a way to show off their desirability and maintain social capital. College is supposed to be the place where people find their identities and explore their sexuality, but this exploration rarely […]
Sex Ed at Four? The Dutch Say Ja
This past summer, I visited Amsterdam. Stepping off the Eurostar, I was met by swarms of bikers and numerous incredibly stylish, tall pedestrians. I immediately felt the city’s vibrancy—held together by a culture of openness and a little bit of weed. One of my favorite moments from the trip was a bike tour. My guide, […]
Dirty Language
For all the trouble we give Dick, Richard is a rather common name. In fact, the nickname ‘Dick’ predates the anatomical implication by at least three centuries. In the time between these interpretations, ‘dick’ took on the meaning ‘guy,’ a reasonable segue to its current meaning, which men are often associated with. Fascinatingly, ‘dick’ also […]
Something “Wicker” This Way Cums
“I heard that he’s strong as a tree and just as hard.” This week I had the pleasure of watching the recently released film “Wicker,” starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård. The movie adapts Ursula Wills’s 14-page 2008 short story, “The Wicker Husband.” The plot follows a lonely fisherwoman living in a small village who […]
Books Made Me Gay
Ever since I became an avid media consumer in high school, I wanted to find the Aldo to my Regan from Olivie Blake’s novel, “Alone With You in the Ether.” The Ted to my Robin from the sitcom “How I Met Your Mother”; the Seb to my Mia from the movie “La La Land.” Whether […]
Klub Kinks
We’re a kinky campus. How kinky, you might ask? Well, one Indy Sex Survey respondent detailed a personal sexual fantasy he hopes will come to fruition on campus: “Being kicked in the balls by my girlfriend and her friends, then teased. And worshipping them.” Is this representative of Harvard students as a whole? We may […]
Back to Basics: Sex Positions, Ranked
There are many ways to get down and dirty, but a few staples always make the cut. But not all positions are created equal. The real question is: what are the best basics to have on standby? Missionary: #1 Reliably good, easy to execute, and maximum contact. Missionary is the classic for a reason. Some […]
First Year First Times
Freshman fall is full of firsts: first roommates, first B grades, first relationships, and first times. For your eyes only, we hunted through Annenberg, the Yard, and, of course, MIT’s frats to uncover some of the most interesting first-kiss and first-time stories we could find, and put them together for your reading pleasure. Enjoy! Playhouse […]
What Are We?
Situationship? The situation is that they don’t want you. Every college student loves a good situationship: flirty, fun, and noncommittal. Unfortunately, they’re also a fast track to mixed signals, 2 a.m. overthinking, and heartbreak over someone you were never technically with. Situationships, or romantic and sexual relationships without clear labels or definitions, are increasingly popular […]
Weekly Sports Preview: November 5–12
Playoff season is finally here! This week, Harvard’s fall teams begin their postseason games. Meanwhile, other sports are facing historic rivals, wrapping up their regular season, or just making their debuts. Football (6–1) This Saturday is football’s final home game of the season at Harvard Stadium. At 1 p.m., they’ll kick off against Columbia. After […]
Keeping Score: The Sport of One’s Body Count
“What’s your body count?” It is a question that seems to circulate casually (and crassly) among modern generations. Its meaning: “How many different people have you had sex with?” The question implies a transactional, impersonal maneuvering through sex, reducing a partner to the noun of a “body.” More importantly, it raises the question: why does […]