Item Information
Title
Editorial in the Daily Tar Heel, February 25, 1967, "Birth control pill should go to coed’s wanting it"
Description
Editorial in the Daily Tar Heel, February 25, 1967, "Birth control pill should go to coed’s wanting it." Performed by Vivienne Benesch.
Creator
PlayMaker’s Repertory Company in collaboration with the University Archives at Louis Round Wilson Library
Date
2021
Language
English
Identifier
https://exhibits.lib.unc.edu/items/show/7577
Transcription
Introduction: Editorial in the Daily Tar Heel, February 25, 1967
Birth control pill should go to coed’s wanting it
The University Infirmary should dispense birth control pills to coeds who want them. Now that the precedent has been set at Pembroke, there is no longer relevance to the question of which university should be first. Birth control pills have proved an effective means of preventing illegitimate births. And who can argue that a few more cases of indiscriminate sexual activities are worse than the situation imposed when a human being has to go through life knowing that he was born illegitimately, or without a parent or both parents? We hope no one. Our system of morals, which is so highly touted by those who favor tradition as a blanket excuse for restricting advance, falls down when it uses the possibility of indiscriminate sex as a reason for allowing persons to ruin the lives of their "children." It seems to us that it' is far more immoral to have premarital intercourse without effective contraception than with it. Some would wish to limit the age when a girl could apply for use of "the pill." But legislation of this type would in reality only limit the age at which a girl is allowed not to have an illegitimate child. Those who are going to act promiscuously with the use of birth control pills will probably do the same without them. Our system of mores is not so feeble that it will fall into chaos the moment that the fear of pregnancy is removed. Probably it would reorient itself somewhat, but it seems obvious that the benefits derived far outweigh the detrimental factors.' Dr. Allen F. Guttmacher, president of the Planned Parenthood Association observed recently that "today's college population frowns on promiscuity and infidelity but is willing to undertake sexual relationships if they are outgrowths of a deep emotional experience." We couldn't agree more. It is partly on faith in our whole cultural and moral attitude, and partly on the realization of the daily preventable tragedies which occur everywhere that we feel birth control pills should be made available to all.
2:11 = 131 secs
Birth control pill should go to coed’s wanting it
The University Infirmary should dispense birth control pills to coeds who want them. Now that the precedent has been set at Pembroke, there is no longer relevance to the question of which university should be first. Birth control pills have proved an effective means of preventing illegitimate births. And who can argue that a few more cases of indiscriminate sexual activities are worse than the situation imposed when a human being has to go through life knowing that he was born illegitimately, or without a parent or both parents? We hope no one. Our system of morals, which is so highly touted by those who favor tradition as a blanket excuse for restricting advance, falls down when it uses the possibility of indiscriminate sex as a reason for allowing persons to ruin the lives of their "children." It seems to us that it' is far more immoral to have premarital intercourse without effective contraception than with it. Some would wish to limit the age when a girl could apply for use of "the pill." But legislation of this type would in reality only limit the age at which a girl is allowed not to have an illegitimate child. Those who are going to act promiscuously with the use of birth control pills will probably do the same without them. Our system of mores is not so feeble that it will fall into chaos the moment that the fear of pregnancy is removed. Probably it would reorient itself somewhat, but it seems obvious that the benefits derived far outweigh the detrimental factors.' Dr. Allen F. Guttmacher, president of the Planned Parenthood Association observed recently that "today's college population frowns on promiscuity and infidelity but is willing to undertake sexual relationships if they are outgrowths of a deep emotional experience." We couldn't agree more. It is partly on faith in our whole cultural and moral attitude, and partly on the realization of the daily preventable tragedies which occur everywhere that we feel birth control pills should be made available to all.
2:11 = 131 secs