Myne Whitman is a Nigerian US-based writer and blogger. She currently manages Romancemeetslife.com - a relationship blog that is focused on helping African couples to improve their relationships. She spoke to HealthNewsNG on the subject of sex, pornography and homosexuality.
HealthNewsNG: To some writers, writing is a means
of reaching a larger audience while to others, it's a way of getting food on
the table. What does writing mean to Myne, when and how did you start writing?
Myne Whitman: I
started writing as a teenager as a way to get the stories in my head out for
others to share in. I started writing commercially more recently as a way to
reach a larger audience while also making some money.
I've seen your name (or by line) on
several projects, which one is your favorite?
Romancemeetslife.com is where most of my attention goes
for now. I also manage Naijastories.com, which is my other pet project to take
Nigerian fiction to the masses.
Why did you decide to venture into
sexual health?
I've
always been interested in the topic of sex as it affects out health. I read a
lof of books as a child, both local and foreign and it didn't take long to
realize that this sex I read in books was rarely talked about by those around
me. Being that I can something be a rebel, I decided that I would be the type
that talked about sex as an adult.
There's an unwritten law that outlaws
public discussion on the subject of sex in this part of the world. How is it
affecting our sexual health?
AIDS
became a huge deal after I just entered secondary school. It captured my
interest, and from then, and until I finished university, I campaigned for the
control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs through education and
empowerment of young people. These diseases continue to be a problem for
Africans because of lack of knowledge and awareness.
Which generation had the best sex life
- ours or our forefathers? Why is this so?
I
wasn't there at the time of our fore-fathers so I couldn't really say. But the
fattening rooms of time past is also said to be venues to teach young women how
they can enjoy sex with their husbands so they probably had it good. Today,
some of that culture has been lost as some people have perverted religion to
serve their own needs to control everyone.
What's your take on pornography?
Pornography
can be useful or it can be degrading also. Where it is used as instruction to
novice couples, or an accessory to enjoying sex, it is very welcome. However,
some go all the way to other extreme, promoting lifestyles that are detrimental
to physical and mental health.
You recently responded to a pastor
who described oral sex as unholy. This brings to the forefront the issue of
religion and faiths as they affect our sex lives. Where should the line be
drawn?
Each
individual will have to determine for themselves where to draw that line, and
that was the point of my response to that pastor.
Recently, Nigerian lawmakers passed a
law banning homosexuality in Nigeria. Two years ago, I published a story on a
gay advocate in Uganda. Few days later, he was brutally murdered. Why do you
think Africa is yet to come to terms with the fact that gays are here already?
Again
it refers to a few influential people using their positions to try to force the
rest of us to do what they like. NOT what the law says, nor what the tradition
shows. There have been gay people in Africa for as long as people can tell.
What's your take on homosexuality?
Each
person should have the right to live their sexual life in the manner that suits
them as long as it does not infringe on others' rights.
How can couples improve their sex
lives?
I've
written a couple of articles on my blog about this, both for men and for women.
Enjoying sex begins in the mind and head. People should shed the prudish
mannerisms that prevent them from fully enjoying sex.
You usually suggest that lovers
should discuss what they do in bed with their partners. Won't that erode away
the intrigues of sexual surprises?
Not
all. Some surprises end up badly because the person did not expect it and they
hated the idea. The best way to do sex is to be open and share your needs and
desires.
When is the right age for a male
child to start having sex, what of the female child?
I
cannot be the judge of that, but the parents of that child and the child too.
I'm of the opinion that one should finish university or be 21, whichever comes
later, before they start romantic dating. Before then, they can have friends
of both genders and concentrate on their
studies and getting to know themselves and what they want for their future.
With the society fast becoming a
horny one, do you think virgins are still available?
Where
are they, and how can their number be increased in our sex-charged society?
There are virgins everywhere, even at 40 some men and women are still virgins.
I don't know where people get the idea that they're decreasing. That one talks
about sex does not mean they're horny, sex-charged or promiscuous, it just
means you're better informed. And always one who has more information can make
better decisions.
Oh, i really like Meeting new folks today! Characterization is that the most significant factor to me furthermore. job interview And extremely get to Stephanie Perkins' books presently, they are superb :) loved the interview!
ReplyDeleteI want to thank Dr Olorun for helping me. In curing my hiv, for like 4yrs I have been suffering from hiv aids , but one day God send Dr Olorun to save my life. I cannot stop thanking him for what he has done for me if you are into similar problem you can contact him via: email::: Olorunoduduwaspiritualtemple@gmail.com
ReplyDelete