By Marcus LeGrand | The Broadside (Contact: [email protected])
What do women want out of relationship? After interviewing young women at the Central Oregon Community College Bend campus, they are confident in their approach to find the proper companion.
While in high school, relationships are primary socially motivated, peer induced, and geared toward helping students with life preparation. College mainly prepares young people for work, but who or what prepares young people for love, lust or relationships? Who teaches them how to fix a relationship, handle a mature sexual encounter, or understand consent?
College also is a new, exciting, and parent-free environment. Women on campus mention that the ability to find a significant other isn’t a necessity along with other obligations.
First-year student Zoe Davidman explained that “A relationship isn’t my top priority, I have to worry about academics and how to balance my money.”
Making a connection with another student in a traditional format can be difficult, but in a junior college setting where students are older, or possibly living with parents, offers a different set of obstacles.
Those obstacles make it harder to connect with students, because at a two-year institution, you don’t have Greek life or programs that promote social interaction and where students engage in a hook-up mentality. Being at a junior college is a mixed bag of possibilities and the appeal of a casual or unsubstantiated relationship can be a large deterrent in finding someone.
“I want clarity and communication in a relationship, if you are dating other people I want to know,” said Katya Agatucci, second-year student and editor-in-chief of “The Broadside.” This allows for honesty in a partnership and an openness that doesn’t restrict one another’s ability to be focused on other goals.
The one element of a relationship that all women mentioned in our conversations was the key component of safety and security.
“After experiencing a couple unpleasant situations, that led me to be more conscious of my surroundings and to ask questions,” second year student Madison Tebbs said. This is paramount for commitment and trustworthiness. In addition, it establishes a foundation related to one another’s values, lifestyle and ideals where both parties feel safe. Regardless of gender, if someone feels that their security is being compromised, it will negatively affect a relationship.
Overall, all the women interviewed mentioned a few clichés that have been passed on for generations about college: focus on friendships, don’t take college romance too seriously, don’t feel like college is where you can find a life partner, etc.
Through my experiences being on a few campuses, I would give women on COCC’s campus some small pieces of advice. What defines you is your ability to be safe when it comes to sex and relationships. Don’t disconnect from the world the moment you start dating, and find time to find yourself and what best works for you. So ladies, when exploring affairs of the heart, remember it’s your choice. If you have any comments, please reply to [email protected] ■
