Discussion on sexuality is, I believe, a critical conversation for nation building, and is not as personal as it may appear.

Sex in an uncommitted relationship can indeed be challenging especially where one person acknowledges loving the other and desires a commitment and he / she uses this to rationalise the sexual engagement. One of the several challenges is when the other sexual partner, while acknowledging love or interest is not ready for commitment, and is compounded as she or he may be exploring a similar relationship with another or others.

Social order

This may indeed be challenging not only for the individual's stability, but also the social order when women and men and sadly even children (under 18) engage in sex with social friends, for fun, for the experience, just because we can, or worse with people we don't even like.

The consequences can be truly disruptive and destabilising, especially now that its not just about unwanted pregnancies but also about devastating health challenges like HIV and AIDS as well as the range of sexually transmitted infections.

Destabilised society

Then there are the assaults and even murders from emotional/ psychological upheavals when things get 'complicated'.

As we grapple with transforming our very destabilised society, maybe we indeed need to consider our private actions and as the women's movement has maintained recognise that 'the private is political' i.e. it has public implications and repercussions.

I am, etc.,

PATRICIA DONALD

Kingston 6