Can I kiss you?

 The New York Times reported today that the “no means no” mantra of a generation ago regarding sex is being eclipsed by “yes means yes” as grade 10 students in the United States are being told to seek explicit permission every step of an intimate encounter.

The one initiating or moving up the level of intimacy must be the one to ask the objects of his or her desire if it’s okay to proceed, says psychologists.

California became the first state to require that all high school health education classes give lessons on affirmative consent, which includes explaining that someone who is drunk or asleep cannot grant consent.

“Consent from the person you are kissing — or more — is not merely silence or a lack of protest, Shafia Zaloom, a health educator at the Urban School of San Francisco told students. “What does that mean — you have to say ‘yes’ every 10 minutes?” asked Aidan Ryan, 16, who sat near the front of the room. “Pretty much,” Ms. Zaloom answered. “It’s not a timing thing, but whoever initiates things to another level has to ask.”