Midwife Critical Of Permissive Society

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32379, 19 August 1970, Page 2

Midwife Critical Of Permissive Society

The permissive society should be “tightened up a bit” according to a British midwifery authority, Mrs Margaret F. Myles, who visited Christchurch recently.

“All this sexual promiscuity should stop,” she said. “I don't know where it is leading us.” “Older women should make themselves heard. I’ve spoken to many who don’t approve of the permissive society. If you don't condemn you condone. The wrong ideals are being put in front of people today.” Mrs Myles does not believe in supplying contraceptives to the unmarried. “Some say it is more moral to take the pill than to have an illegitimate baby, but they speak as if there is no other choice. There is the choice of self control.” she said. Asked how she would advise a teen-age family today, Mrs Myles said: “From pub-

erty I would try to keep high moral standards in front of them. I would say the time

to have a family is when there is a marriage and a homeadequate provision for the child.” Mrs Myles lays much of the blame for today’s sexual promiscuity at the door of sex education classes. “In Britain we have sex education classes for children aged eight and nine, and a rapid increase in illegitimate births to girls under 16. “At eight or nine the children are too young to be taught morality. I think they hear far too much about sex, though I’ve no objection to classes in reproduction, By the time the children reach puberty they are blase about sex,” she said.