[Alumni-chat] The Antioch 1994 "verbal consent in advance" Policy

[Michael Brower]

In my 7-8  trips back to Antioch during and since the 2004 Reunion, I  
have often seen the public postings of, and various articles and  
comments about the famous Antioch student-generated "consent in  
advance" policy about sex.  And like many of us older Alums I  
occasionally pondered whether, and to what extent, I agreed with this  
policy, whether I would have appreciated it, or not, during my  
younger years, and how I would have handled it myself.  Was it too  
blatant?  Too in-your-face?  Too intellectual, too  much interference  
with normal courtship.  Etc., etc?  On balance I came down in favor  
of the policy, but with perhaps some residual reservations.

Then a year or two ago,  I was sharing a ride with two female Alums  
from the 1950;s. We started talking about, and sharing our  
impressions of, this 1994 Verbal Consent in Advance policy.  All of  
my residual doubts and questions were suddenly  resolved when one of  
my friends told us about her own experience of having suffered "Date  
Rape."   Yes, she was in the guy's apartment.  Yes, she liked him and  
was necking with him.  But, NO, she was NOT ready for sex with him.   
But that was what happened, without her permission, without his  
asking, without her wanting it or agreeing to it.

Wow!  Did I ever get my eyes and ears and mind opened fast!  Count me  
as a strong supporter now.

Mike Brower '55