The Daily Campus

Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Commentary

The end of any relationship is expectedly full of awkward situations - should I give him back the jewelry? How do I ask her for my clothes back? Uh oh, the best friend wants me… These are all predictable situations. However, a new issue is becoming increasingly common - nude pictures sent over text messages and the Internet.

If you ask anybody, they will swear over and over again that they have never done such a thing. But the truth is, there are more amateur nude models out there than you would like to imagine. You would think that as college students, we would have either grown out of such immature games, or at least be mature enough not to use the pictures for exploitation later on. While it is typically assumed that men are always the ones guilty of coveting nude pictures, women are just as blameworthy in sending, and asking for, these pictures.

Men can no longer be blamed for all the exposed breasts circulating through texts and the Internet - women send them on their own free will, usually for a picture in return. At the same time, women are usually the ones that end up embarrassed when their ex-boyfriends blackmail them with these risqué pictures later on. Young women tend to forget that one day they could break up with those guys and it may not be civil. Let's hope that he's not feeling bitter because after a drunken Friday, there may not be much left to the imagination for the boys.

The problem with this blackmail situation is that women have fewer means of retaliation. Any man with enough self-esteem to send you a picture of his pride and joy does not care whom else you show it off too. It actually could save him some time getting his next hook-up. However, everyone knows it does not work the same for women.

When nude pictures of a girl get out, she could be branded as a slut forever. You never know whom those pictures will get around too. What if suddenly you and your panties end up on Facebook, exposed to your sorority sisters, potential dates, employers, your little brother and even your parents. It will take long enough to live down dating such a jerk, but it will take even longer for everyone to stop talking about your cup size - especially since now they have a clear view.

So why does this happen over and over again? When will couples stop asking and stop giving? It's inevitable other people will see those pictures. Out of self-respect for yourself, and your partner, exchanging nude pictures is a practice that needs to stop. It is unnecessary and while it may make for some quick excitement, harm and embarrassment will be the inevitable outcome.

Seriously, if you feel like you're desperate enough to ask for dirty pictures, it's time to sexile your roommate for a change.

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