I am not going to bombard you with statistics because statistics are meaningless to everyone but teachers and researchers. I am not going to preach to you to abstain from sexual activity because that is a minister’s job. But I will tell you what amazes me: Even educated people can be stupid and have unprotected sex.

In passing through this university, I hear many stories about sex. Some I would rather not hear. But through much discussion, I have found that there are two different types of unprotected sexual encounters.

The first is the relationship in which there is unprotected sex. Some women have said they will not ask their boyfriend to put on a condom because he will be offended – meaning he will assume you think he is cheating. Not to put any distrust within any relationship, but who knows what your significant other is doing – and whom he is doing it with.

Along with the relationship comes the idea of “I don’t care because he or she will take care of things.” That assumes your significant other is ready to handle major responsibilities, such as having a child or treating a sexually transmitted disease. You can assume anything, but you never know what may happen until you are in that situation.

And for those who are self-righteous: If you love someone and are in a serious relationship, there may be one time when you say, “OK, just this once.” It could happen to you. No one is exempt.

Now, the second type of unprotected sex may be what comes to mind immediately: the one-night stand. It is funny because people take this cliched, “It’s only one time” approach.

Right. It only takes one time (sorry for sounding like a “Maury” episode). Just think if a person had a “one time” with multiple people.

One of my good friends in high school got pregnant after just “one time” with a guy she had known for only a couple days. The main cause was that she was inebriated. This scenario happens often. Sometimes you may be lucky, and sometimes you are handed a burden.

For all those who did not know, our campus hands out free condoms. If you are embarrassed to get free condoms, which is a little more economical, there are various places that sell some type of contraceptive. Also, University Health Service provides birth control for a small fee.

Careless sexual patterns can last for a lifetime and give you much regret. Sex is not a sport or competition in which you keep a notch on your bedpost. If you are into that kind of thing, I would recommend using some type of protection.

Do not become a statistic. For once, be selfish and protect yourself first. If your sexual partner does not like it, then there is no purpose for you to be with that person in the first place. Carelessness or irresponsibility is not sexy.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.