On Wednesday, September 14, Lancer Productions held Denice Evans, a filmmaker showing a shortened version of her latest piece of work, "Spitting Game: The College Hook-Up Culture." The film was screened in Jarman auditorium and features collegiate and medical professionals that specifically examined the incidence of sexual assault caused by alcohol on college campuses, the occurrence of sexually-transmitted diseases for college-aged young adults, the cultural association between alcohol and sex among college students, and the societal shift from traditional dating towards casual, alcohol-induced hookups.
Evans, who has a college-aged son herself, was interested in finding out whether or not the meaning of sex is different today than when she was college-aged, and whether people are almost jaded when it came to sex, and that they do not think of it as a big deal. The film also dug into how some states have varying laws on the legal responsibility of the man to ask for permission to have sex with the woman, and that the woman must be in the right mind to make a sound decision. Certain states prosecute various cases because of these laws.
Though the film primarily focused on the college culture of sex and alcohol together, it also discussed the role of alcohol in a college student's life. The documentary analyzed the rates at which college students across the country are either alcoholics or alcohol abusers. The film then used data, such as rates of sexual assault where alcohol was involved, to determine if there is a definitive correlation.
The film does not take an "anti-sex" stance, but rather urges for people to seek information. The various experts talk with Ms. Evans about sexual activity amongst college students, as well as how alcohol and alcohol abuse play a part. It talks about how counselors across the country are increasingly hearing complaints from women and even some men about feelings of guilt or shame from sexual activity that resulted from being drunk.
The filmmaker also interviewed many students, some of whom were hidden to respect their anonymity. One of these people is a 22-year-old woman who got pregnant and had to leave school her senior year after one drunken night. Evans also interviewed a sexual assault survivor who discussed fear that she would be blamed for the entire incident. She also interviewed men who gave their point of view on the topic as well.
It also talked about the term "hooking up," and discussed the multiple meanings of the word, and how people tend to ignore the degree of sexual activity if the umbrella term "hooking up" is used.
For more information on the documentary and its filmmaker, Denice Evans, visit www.collegehookupculture.com.
