Group Sex Therapy brings large turnout, but poor response

Allowing the text messages of college students to be projected for all to see can be risky, especially when those texts are sex-related.

As the predominantly female audience waited for the evening’s entertainment to take the stage, they were encouraged to submit thoughts on dating, sex and love. Topics ranged from digs at select campus fraternities to inside jokes–some more obscene than others.

But it is far riskier, some might argue, to talk about the difficulties of sexual relationships between men and women. Relationship and dating coach Daniel Packard has made it his career.

“We all want the same thing,” Packard said. “I just think we never get past the frustration.”

The Live Group Sex Therapy event, sponsored by the Student Activities Board Feb. 11 in Bulldog Theater, was Packard’s brainchild billed as a representation of what happens when “the truth gets loose, the lid flies off and a whole lot of relationship-enhancing and hilariously educational steam comes flying out,” according to Packard’s personal website.

“It was something different,” sophomore marketing and management major Jessica Hamilton, the coordinator of the Student Activities Board sponsored event, said. “We’re trying to bring new types of events to campus.”

The program offered a comedic approach at unraveling the moments in relationships that leave both men and women alike with arms upraised and expletives aplenty. Rather than reacting with frustration and anger when difficult situations arise, Packard preaches understanding.
“It’s not like men came out of vaginas as confused assholes,” Packard said.

In most cases, he said that the bulk of men’s confusion regarding women can be attributed to misinterpreted social advances and overly defensive female attitudes.
Instead Packard, a recipient of the National College Speaker of the Year award, works toward instilling a greater appreciation for both sexes to encourage respectful and healthy relationships.

“You guys can create life in your body,” Packard said, addressing the women present. “I can pee in the snow.”

Along with promoting less hostile attitudes toward men, Packard urges women to recognize the internal repercussions that constantly trash-talking female friends and self-deprecating behavior can have on self worth.

He also urges women to abandon the myth created by countless Disney movies and fairy tales: A prince in shining armor will unexpectedly appear to sweep his undeserving princess off her feet.

“First of all, ladies,” Packard said, referencing a typical fairy tale plot line. “If a guy ever jumps out of the bushes, points and yells, ‘You!’ at you, run.”

Infusing weighty issues with an element of humor, Packard both implores women to claim responsibility for their love lives and reconsider their outlook on men as a whole.
Under the tagline the “Social Acupuncturist: Penetrating Truth to Let the Love Flow,” Packard travels internationally to promote his dating philosophy. The Student Activities Board through the National Association for Campus Activities booked the event last year upon student recommendations, Hamilton said.

“I thought what he had to say was interesting,” Brooke Feehrer, a junior marketing major, said. “He provided a good balance of humor and seriousness, and the way he interacted with the audience was good.”

Though Packard uses elaborate metaphors and obscene jokes to poke fun at the stereotypical romantic behaviors of both men and women, the underlying message of his seminars is surprisingly simplistic.

All humor aside, Packard maintains that “you have to give love to get love.”

Whether it is getting dumped by a long-term boyfriend or dissed by the hot girl at the bar, the decision to feel helpless and heartbroken can be consciously avoided. Above all else, Packard places the ability of men and women to claim power and confidence for themselves outside of a relationship.