The Woman Is Required to Pay

What if for a whole week, it was Sadie Hawkins style? “Girls ask the guys, it’s always a surprise, there’s nothing better!” Well, for one week out of the semester Oklahoma Baptist University has something similar: TWIRP. TWIRP is an acronym meaning “The woman is required to pay.” The Student Government Association, SGA, works together with multiple organizations on campus to put on great events that the women of OBU can invite a potential date to. As fun as this week is, this year it has garnered critique from many women across campus.

Sophomore Ellie Huff said, “Twirp week is an excuse. I don’t know if I have the words to eloquently put my aggression. I fear this sets up some type of illusion to create unnecessary gender roles and responsibilities. Inevitably there is a stigma to girls asking guys out in any other capacity, but I respect the events. I just don’t respect the culture.” Do gender roles play that big a part in dating culture?

Dr. Michael Mills, a contributor to Psychology Today, said, “A great majority of the women, 93 percent, preferred to be asked out — only 6 percent preferred to do the asking. The majority of men preferred to do the asking, 83 percent, while 16 percent preferred to be asked out on a date.” With these odds, it seems highly unlikely that women would be willing to participate in TWIRP week. If 93 percent of females prefer to be asked out, then what is the incentive to participate in TWIRP week?

Joseph Ross, the event’s chair, said, “So far, I mean there were a lot of people at Qdoba last night. The [on-campus] events have not kicked off just yet, but last night was the official kickoff. Tonight would be the first official event.” Joseph is one of the SGA representatives who is working throughout the week to put on these events. This may not seem like a grand task, but remember that a pandemic is happening. Many did not know if TWIRP would be able to happen this year, but SGA did not give up. They came together and fought for their peers to be able to have a fun, COVID kosher TWIRP week. The first on-campus event of the week is Trivia Night which will be held at the front of Raley. It is expected to garner multiple participants, and University Concert Series, UCS, is spearheading the event.

Lily Huff, the UCS Co-Chair, said, “I can not wait to see everyone who will show up! It is going to be a great night and we will be able to advertise some of our upcoming events during Trivia Night as well, which is very helpful.” Even though there are events every night of the week, is that enough incentive to encourage girls to initiate a “first-time risky relationship ask?” According to Senior Emily Boyne… no.

Boyne, said “I don’t have anything against people who do it. I’m just not into it. I don’t have the time to dedicate to it. I don’t have anybody I want to TWIRP, and I don’t have the guts to TWIRP. Simply because it’s TWIRP week, doesn’t mean I have the guts to do it” On the surface, TWIRP may seem like a great idea. It creates a safe space for women to be able to ask their male counterparts out. The problem is most women won’t risk asking a guy out if it is a “first-time risky relationship ask” according to Psychology Today. For some, this week is long and stressful, while for others it's simply another week of school.

Senior Caleb Stewart said, “It’s just a normal week for me. I think lots of activities are fun though.” TWIRP may be highly controversial for some and stressful for others, but at the end of the day, SGA means for it to be fun. Reliant K really did say it best, “The girls ask the guys. It’s always a surprise. There's nothing better baby.”