Pupils fear nuclear weapons — survey

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 10

Pupils fear nuclear weapons — survey

PA Wellington School pupils asked about nuclear weapons are pessimistic about the future, according to an article in the magazine “Family Physician.” Dr Ben Gray and Dr John Valentine, of New Plymouth, did a survey of 876 fifth, sixth and seventh formers in Taranaki. They found that 94 per cent of the children had “seen, read or heard something about nuclear weapons.” The students were asked

which countries out of a list of 26 had nuclear weapons. “Most, although surprisingly not all, knew that U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. have them ...” Knowledge regarding other countries was much less accurate — 30 per cent did not know that France had nuclear weapons and 20 per cent thought that Iran and Afghanistan did. Seventy-five per cent thought New Zealand would be affected by a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Forty per cent mentioned various effects of bombs dropped overseas, such as radiation spread, destruction of the ozone layer and economic and social disruption. The article said 31 per cent thought New Zealand could not help prevent a nuclear war. Those who thought New Zealand could help have a

wide range of suggestions, the commonest being the declaration of nuclear-free zones and involvement in international diplomacy. Half of the students said their knowledge of nuclear war did not affect their attitude to life. Those whose knowledge did affect them made such comments as: © “It alters my attitude to living in the way that I try to grow up without grudges against people, because that is all it would take to start a nuclear war.” © “It gives you a feeling of hate for those people who play with these dangerous toys, and you can’t really plan too much ahead because you don’t know, how long you’ll be around.” © ,Y Why work when we are all going to die?” ■® “I am scared even now just thinking of it. I really hate nuclear weapons. It terrifies me.” The doctors said the survey showed that school students believed they did not .know enough about nuclear weapons, they had a poor knowledge of the issues, they were pessimistic about the future of the world and few believed they had any power to prevent the destruction. “There is an urgent need to amend the school curriculum so that future citizens know why nuclear weapons must never be used,” they said.