Safe sex is about more than just protecting oneself from STIs, and the Wait project, conceptualized by the student Anna Weddle from Ball State University, aims to emphasize that fact.
The Wait condoms feature vibrant designs and labelling that expresses the significance of enthusiastic consent, featuring the mantra "yes means yes" over and over again. While in matters of sexual assault, the "fight or flight" response tends to be most discussed, the conversation often forgets the fact that there is another reactionary response to assault -- freezing, which is a response to severe discomfort or fear in addition to fight or flight. The mantra "yes means yes" is meant to emphasize that just because someone doesn't say no, doesn't mean they have expressed consent.
The Wait project's condoms ensures that people are taking part in safe sex in every possible way -- with both protection from STIs, and with enthusiastic consent.
Consent-Promoting Condoms
The 'Wait' Project Emphasizes the Importance of Enthusiastic Consent
Trend Themes
1. Consent-promoting Condoms - Offering an innovative way to promote enthusiastic consent during sexual interactions.
2. Safe Sex Education - Shifting the focus around safe sex education from just STIs towards overall sexual health.
3. Inclusive Messaging - Creating inclusive messaging around consent and sexual interactions.
Industry Implications
1. Sexual Health - Providing an opportunity to innovate on traditional contraception and sexual health education.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Developing creative new messages to promote safe and consensual sex.
3. Gender and Sexual Health Advocacy - Creating platforms to advocate for healthy sexual relationships and messaging that is inclusive of all genders and sexualities.