Attitudes To Virginity Studied

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 5

Attitudes To Virginity Studied

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright)

CHICAGO, May 23. Although modem college students thought less of the value of virginity, there was “little evidence that the actual rate of premarital intercourse had radically changed,” a psychiatrist has said.

Dr. Seymour Halleck, of the University of Wisconsin medical centre, reported on “Sex and Mental Health on the Campus” in the current issue of the Journal bf the

American Medical Association.

Dr. Halleck compared the changing attitudes of mothers and daughters toward sex by asking them: “How important do you think it is that a girl be a virgin when she marries?”

“Of the mothers, 88 per cent answered very important, 12 per cent, generally important, and 0 per cent, not important Of their daughters, 55 per cent answered very important, 4 per cent generally important, and 13 per cent, not important” Dr. Halleck wrote. Dr. Halleck said only 30 per cent of girls questioned at Wisconsin felt premarital intercourse was definitely wrong.

“Nevertheless,” Dr. Halleck said, “as of this date there is no evidence of a radical increase in premarital intercourse among university students. It may be reassuring in this regard to note that the great majority of students do not condone promiscuity. “When students insist that premarital relations are morally justified, they are most frequently referring to intercourse between those who are engaged or deeply in love,” Dr. Halleck said. “Very few girls can see themselves having relations with more than one partner.

“It is unlikely that we will become a promiscuous society, but it is quite likely that we are on the way to becoming a nation in which couples who intend to marry begin sexual activity before marriage.

The new sexual attitudes were having a signiflcent influence upon all female students, not just the promiscuous girls, Dr. Halleck said.

“Many girls simply’ feel that they will lose their boyfriends if they do not sleep with them,” he said. “Others have convinced themselves that technical know-how is important for a successful sex life and that experience before marriage will make them better wives. “Finally,” Dr. Halleck said, "the Vietnam conflict has had a deep impact upon people of draft age. Some girls out of guilt, compassion, or love feel obligated to give themselves to those who could lose their lives. The phrase ‘make love not war” is a political slogan, but in this day and age, it is also an effective argument for sexual permissiveness.”