One of the top reasons communication skills matter, particularly in college, is that it's pretty easy to get in sexual situations where one or more of the people involved is feeling ambivalent. In other words, they're having mixed feelings. For instance, they may want to go all the way because it feels good, but also want to stop because they're scared, or they don't know you well enough, or they had just told themselves they would wait, and so on.

Men and women often experience different pressures about sex and, in a way, these pressures can actually set the stage for sexual assault. Check out this breakdown of "expectations" and pressures:

Men are "Expected" to:	Women are "Expected" to:
want sex all the time	be sexy but not think about sex
be confident in the bedroom	not be a prude, but not be "slutty"
always know what to do	not know too much
initiate sex	let the guy lead
never say no to sex	always say no even if they want to say yes
not be vulnerable	be compliant, not make a guy feel bad

 
No wonder men and women get in the bedroom and notice that things often get a little weird. We often get caught up in these expectations even when they are unrealistic. As a result of all these confusing and competing messages, mixed feelings about sex are probably more often the norm than the exception.

Feeling Unclear

A person may feel ambivalent for any number of reasons, all of which are legitimate, even if they might not make sense to you (as the person on the other end) in the moment. Sex should always be something both people willingly participate in and enjoy.

From time to time we all feel unsure about what we want from a sexual experience. But being able to talk about it in the moment is an invaluable skill, because it may protect you from having your ambivalence exploited by another person, or from taking advantage of a person who is simply not sure what they want.

The Benefits of Checking In

Real life situations, of course, are often more complicated than clear. Sometimes you think you know what you want until you're actually in a situation. Sometimes a person seems a lot different with their clothes off, and a situation that might have been totally comfortable before seems less so. This is okay, and it's perfectly legitimate to:

• pause
• take time to check in with yourself
• stop and talk to the other person
• articulate your boundaries before moving forward
• change your mind
• leave the situation

If you are in a situation and notice yourself or the other person seeming unsure, you need to pay attention. You don't want to get in a danger zone and, if you press beyond your or your partner's limits, you will. Again: consensual sex requires an active yes, not simply silence from the other person.

Bottom line:

If you feel ambivalent about what's going on, stop and address your instincts and feelings. This may mean checking in with yourself, stating your boundaries and/or leaving the situation.

If you notice your partner acting unsure at all, stop. Signs of ambivalence are not your cue to keep going, but your cue to ask.

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