Friends With Benefits
Rebecca Bivona-Guttadauro
Seniors Sarah and Ben, who have been good friends since freshman year, became “friends with benefits” after a party a month ago. They just kind of fell into bed with each other. Over time, though, Sarah has started to have romantic feelings for Ben. She continues for a while in their current arrangement, in the hope that Ben will at some point begin to reciprocate her feelings. Eventually, however, as she comes to realize that a long-term relationship doesn’t seem to be in the cards, she tells Ben that she no longer wants sex to be part of their relationship.
That weekend, they decide to go to a party together. The beer is flowing freely, and both of them get drunk. As the evening wears on, they end up going home together and hooking up. When she wakes up in Ben’s apartment the next morning, Sarah realizes that she and Ben have had sex even though she had told him she didn’t want to do that anymore. She’s furious with Ben, but he reminds her that they both were pretty wasted.
Who is at fault? Why?
Best student response to this case wins $50. Comments must be posted by April 10 at midnight. Rules
Here are some resources that may help:
Alcohol and Consent (Dalhousie University)
Hooking Up (Religion and Ethics Weekly)
Sex and the Soul (video of Donna Freitas)
Risk Factors and Consequences of Unwanted Sex Among University Students