Love, Sex and Relationships

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Last week was Sex Week at UNB Saint John. As an international student, I was surprised to discover how relationships and sex are accepted so positively here.

The interpretation of love varies from country to country, and even from person to person. On Friday, Feb. 13th, an event titled “Love, Sex and Relationships” was put on in Irving Hall 101 at 7 p.m.

With speed dating games, a guest speaker, snacks, and an anonymous Q&A, the event drew out interested students. Anthony, who is a pastor from Fredericton, gave a speech about love being a means of connecting with Christianity.

Is is hard to define love. Love is always around, however, we take it for granted or it is sometimes hidden behind other difficulties facing us.

Anthony explained that love is always about respect. People see the other positively because they like or love them, and vice versa. By loving others, we can feel a sense of personal attachment, which is the bond between people.

In addition to loving others, we must love ourselves. Love is not just about giving, it should be reciprocal. You have to accept yourself before accepting others. From my perspective, it can be said that people get to love themselves when they love others or when they are in relationships.

To maintain a healthy relationship, you have to open yourself up and share your ideas. You can be yourself and show your identity, as in a good relationship the partners support each other psychologically. Being intimate does not just mean that the relationship is sexual, but can mean that the couple is mentally close to each other.

Listening to Anthony’s talk makes me think that I am responsible for my own happiness. The feeling of love is the combination between “self-love” and love for others. It makes sense because when we love and try to attract the love of others, we try to improve ourselves.

In  Japan, there is a saying, “When you are in love with someone, you are beautiful.” I think it represents the process of loving yourself through the love of others. The most important thing is to know your own self and to, above all, love that self. Doing so will open the door to happiness.

Emily is in her fourth year of Political Science. She loves studying and academics which follows into her research work. She's a stern black coffee drinker and is a proud Acadienne. When she's not working or doing school work, you can find Emily listening to 70s music on vinyl and watching Parks and Recreation. If you ask her about parliamentary institutions, she won't stop talking.