UNMARRIED PEOPLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22700, 12 April 1937, Page 12

UNMARRIED PEOPLE

MEASURES FOR CONTROL' EDUCATION IMPORTANT Discussing the control of abortion among tho unmarried, the committee of inquiry which has been investigating the question states that on tho evidence before it this is not the major problem, but nevertheless it is an important one. "Obviously, the main cause is a looseness of the moral standard, and the remedy must bo educational," says the report. "It is not the province, nor is it within the capacity, of this committee to make detailed recommendations on this matter, but wo would urge upon all those concerned —the educational authorities, religious bodies, tho various youth movements and women's organisations, and individual parents—the importance of enlightened education of the young in tho matter of sex problems." One factor of great importance, the committee believes, is the widespread ui|p of contraceptives among unmarried people. This, in its view, does not tend to diminish the incidence of abortion, but indirectly to increase it among tho young. For this reason, apart from others discussed elsewhere, it recommends that a determined effort _ should be made to suppress tho indiscriminate sale of contraceptives. The committee praises the medical care and personal sympathy given to unmarried mothers and their children in the homes established for that purpose. but suggests that if any basis is found for tho assertion that some mothers resort to abortion because of certain disclosures required to be made under the Child Welfare Act. the regulations should be so amended that while the child is protected full secrecy is maintained.