FAMILY PLANNING IN JAPAN AND SWEDEN

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28089, 3 October 1956, Page 2

FAMILY PLANNING IN JAPAN AND SWEDEN

NEWS FOR WOMEN

How Japan and Sweden tackle the problem of family planning within their widely diversified social structures was the topic of discussion at a meeting of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Family Planning Association last evening. Reports which had been condensed from the findings of health authorities in Japan and Sweden were read to the meeting.

In Japan, where a rapidly increasing population was driving the people into the depths of poverty and starvation with no prospect of better living standards, drastic measures had to be taken alter the Second World War, said a paper read by Mrs J. C. Borrie. The Population Problems Council was made a department of the Japanese Cabinet, and Dr. Koya, Director of the Institute of Public Health, and Dr. Majima. president of the Birth Control League, were invited to plan a programme of contraceptive measures and assist in drafting legislation to implement this programme. They suggested legalised abortion, sterilisation, and contraception. But a survey taken a few years later showed that abortion had become a national health problem. Abortion was not effective because women became pregnant quickly after an abortion, many died, and the number who suffered complications after the operation was higher than expected. Medical Methods Dr. Koya and his teaching teams worked steadily on to their goal of contraception by medical rather than surgical methods, and the position improved. Regular courses on birth control techniques were conducted for the public, films were shown to emphasise the dangers of abortion and to show the correct use of contraceptives available to them. Wherever the film was shown, the village midwife would follow up with practical instruction. In 1954. Dr. Koya presented his findings on the adjustment of population to the Government. He recommended that family planning be promoted, based on a comprehensive population policy. Governmental agencies should be created to take charge and an educational programme should be established with active co-operation from voluntary organisations, he said. Dr. Koya also recommended the cooperation of welfare agencies in factories. mines, and villages to promote family planning practices. Wage payments as well as tax provisions, which seemed to encourage large families,

should be avoided. The curriculum of each medical school should provide education in birth control methods, and research in contraceptive -techniques should receive encouragement. Swedish Law “Sweden is a highly developed welfare society and has an almost legenaarv reputation abroad,” said a paper read by Mrs J. A. Lunn from an address on legal abortion and family counselling by Dr. Thorsten Sjovall. vice-presiaent of the Swedish National League for Sex Education. lhe Swedish law concerning legalised, induced abortion should be seen as one step in the general effort of improving individual and social security, he said. This law was extended in 1946 to cover women who might reasonably be expected to become ill, mentally or physically, as a consequence of pregnancy, the actual birth or the added responsibility. The extension was made to cut down the very high rate'of criminal abortion prevailing at the time. Dr. Sjovall said that Sweden was facing great marital and family problems. Most of the women seeking aoortion did so as a symbolic act of hostility and aggression directed against the husband, authority, society. and against herself as a form of self-punishment. Among the points to be considered was the tact that in Sweden there existed a fairly strong social pressure on married women to do a job outside their homes. “If she yields to *that pressure she becomes caught up in a conflict between the job and her small children, whose need for their mother at home all day is painfully recognised. If she does not yield she. feels she loses prestige,” he said. Since Dr. Sjovall’s report was issued in 1953. sex instruction has been introduced compulsorily in all Swedish schools. A report of Professor C. W. Herlitz, Chief Director to Schools, was read by Mrs H. Wily. “The purpose of sex instruction in schools is two-fold—to give information of a biological nature and knowledge as an aid towards characterbuilding and towards the moulding of ideals. Such instruction is thus intended to have a strong ethical element.’’ Professor Herlitz said. Instruction begins for pupils in their first year at primary school, and is developed in the curriculum until pupils reach the age of leaving. All stages of sex education emphasise the importance of love, linking parents and children togther in a home.