Sex Questions For University Students

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 1

Sex Questions For University Students

Students who do not object will be asked by the University of Canterbury’s student health service to answer a questionnaire on sexual behaviour and attitudes, it was reported at yesterday’s University Council meeting.

After discussion, it was decided that no statistical information based on findings should be published without the approval of the University Council. The objects of the questionnaire were given by the director of the service (Dr K. E. Ussher) as follows: To ascertain patterns and trends in sexual behaviour in the student community. To use this information to assist in the development of a realistic and responsible programme of sex education. To use the information in individual counselling and guidance to reduce illegitimacy. To assist students with personal difficulties to achieve a mature and balanced judgment of the sexual problems of early adulthood. Sexual Behaviour

Dr Ussher, in a report released by the council, said that each student under 21 on July 1 was required to have a medical interview during his first year at Canterbury University. For students attending the student health service for their interview, it was now proposed to conduct among those who did not object an inquiry covering some areas of sexual behaviour of early adulthood. The student population was by its age-range peculiarly vulnerable to sexual problems, especially illegitimacy, Dr Ussher -said. These sexual problems, while not confined to the student community, could be particularly disruptive of academic progress and mental health. “From, what we have been able to observe already, we

know there is a steady increase in the student illegitimacy rate, which we believe is shared by the community at large,” Dr Ussher said. “It is also necessary to keep a steady watch on venereal disease, and on personality disorders with a sexual component, in the student population. This is because the university i r both a segment of New Zealand society, and a concentration of young people of more than average intelligence,” he said. Dr Ussher said that because of rapid changes in the efficiency of contraception, and more-gradual changes ‘in the social standards of acceptable pre-marital behaviour, there was reason to believe that students today would be different in their sexual behaviour from previous generations.

Carefully and responsiblycollected information was needed on personal sexual maladjustment and immaturity, and sexual deviance with neurotic components. At a wider level, information was needed on changes in pre-marital behaviour which made education in the social and personal-adjust-ment aspects of sex a real need, and one which demanded careful planning. “Acting in the Dark”

The student health service had to some extent been acting in the dark, said Mr J. N. Matson. He thought the linking of the questionnaire with illegitimacy was not of great moment. The Rev. W. M. Hendrie said this was one area in which people were most likely to dodge the issue. Much skill was necessary to read answers—and he cautioned against drawing facts from questionnaires.

The Mayor (Mr A. R. Guthrey) said the National Airways Corporation had an excellent form of questionnaire on air travel whereby answers were merely handed to hostesses, no names being involved.

The Vice-Chancellor (Professor N. C. Phillips) said the questionnaire would be answered by students inside the surgery. There was not the slightest intention of giving any publicity to answers. No names would be given outside the surgery. It was possible to establish a confidence between doctor and patient which the N.A.C.’s hostesses, however efficient, could not achieve, he said No names would be used—only code letters—and questionnaires would not be filled in with the doctor looking over students’ shoulders, Professor Phillips said. Once filled in, they would be placed in a locked box.

It was possible to identify answers, but this was desirable in the event of the student returning for advice and treatment later. Question Asked

Mr C. H. Perkins asked what form the gaining of facts would take, and pointed out that Dr Ussher’s report mentioned an interview. Students who wished to do so would fill in the questionnaire, said Professor Phillips. There were some parts of the report with which he did not agree, Mr Perkins said. He was concerned about publication of statistical information.

If the move was based solely on medical grounds, that was all right, but the council must be concerned to see it did nothing to lower moral standards.