Item Information
Title
"Contraceptives Rules Justified," Letter to the Editor, Daily Tar Heel, March 13, 1969
Description
"Contraceptives Rules Justified," Letter to the Editor, Daily Tar Heel, March 13, 1969. Performed by Kathy Williams.
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/7583
Transcription
Letter to the Editor
Daily Tar Heel
March 13, 1969
Contraceptives Rules Justified
To the Editor:
I am concerned by Nancy Smith's comments (DTH, March 8) about the contraceptive warfare of today. Her arguments are generally quite acceptable (although there are reasons, both physical and psychological, that contraceptives should not be provided, too), but I am afraid that she has neglected some basic reasons that the University does not provide contraceptives for single women (aside from obvious legal, financial and parental kickbacks). Miss Smith needs to realize that the apparently only surface difference between married and unmarried women is indeed much more than that: every married woman has (in theory) accepted the tremendous responsibilities of that institution, whereas the single woman has not, and remains, in effect, whether promiscuous or not, someone who cannot be ready to accept the possible results of her sexual freedom. Sexual maturity, as such, is not only the ability to have children, but also the conviction to accept responsibility for one's sexual behavior in view of the social and legal standards which affect us. Are we really the victims of myths concerning our "legitimized" sex lives. I think not. Certainly our society has made mistakes in regard to attitudes towards sex perhaps particularly concerning premarital relations; but the fact remains that although we cannot say that all single women should or should not have easy access to contraceptives, a public university is under no obligation nor should it be to reform society, or cater to the wishes of a transient and self-centered female force.
Sincerely,
Marian S. Ellwood
Daily Tar Heel
March 13, 1969
Contraceptives Rules Justified
To the Editor:
I am concerned by Nancy Smith's comments (DTH, March 8) about the contraceptive warfare of today. Her arguments are generally quite acceptable (although there are reasons, both physical and psychological, that contraceptives should not be provided, too), but I am afraid that she has neglected some basic reasons that the University does not provide contraceptives for single women (aside from obvious legal, financial and parental kickbacks). Miss Smith needs to realize that the apparently only surface difference between married and unmarried women is indeed much more than that: every married woman has (in theory) accepted the tremendous responsibilities of that institution, whereas the single woman has not, and remains, in effect, whether promiscuous or not, someone who cannot be ready to accept the possible results of her sexual freedom. Sexual maturity, as such, is not only the ability to have children, but also the conviction to accept responsibility for one's sexual behavior in view of the social and legal standards which affect us. Are we really the victims of myths concerning our "legitimized" sex lives. I think not. Certainly our society has made mistakes in regard to attitudes towards sex perhaps particularly concerning premarital relations; but the fact remains that although we cannot say that all single women should or should not have easy access to contraceptives, a public university is under no obligation nor should it be to reform society, or cater to the wishes of a transient and self-centered female force.
Sincerely,
Marian S. Ellwood