University News (Irving, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 8, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 16, 1991 Page: 6 of 15
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6
University News
October 16,1991
News
Dr. Janet Smith Speaks On Contraception and Family Planning
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How do you feel about contraception and
Dr. Smith s arguments against it?
Melinda Michael ’SenionBiology
“I think that Dr. Smith’s arguments
were extremely good and really left no
room for disagreement. When I came
into this talk I was completely for contra-
ception, but now I am thinking that
maybe there are a lot of problems with
contraception and that maybe NFP
(Natural Family Planning) might actu-
ally be the better way.”
exists. The sexual act says that you are
willing to become a parent with the
other person. It’s really a wonderful
thing; a sign of incredible commitment,
and nothing can serve as a sign of this
commitment more than babies.”
Although sexual intercourse serves
as a sign of one’s total commitment to
another person, by using contraceptives
one gives only partially of him or her-
self, Smith said. “Contraception is a
negative word. Sexual intercourse, on
the other hand, is a positive act. By
practicing contraception, a woman treats
her body as if it were something alien.
She takes a pill as if she were trying to
correct something that was wrong with
Lisa Bylander ’Sophomore
“I agree with Dr. Smith’s position
on contraception. Additionally, con-
traception is, for many, a factor that
makes pre-marital sex okay. Many
people feel-that as long as you don’t get
pregnant, sex is okay, but that’s not
what it’s for.”
Kerry White •Freshman*Undecided
“Dr. Smith’s arguments were very
persuasive. However, I believe that there
are good reasons to use contraceptives.
Each person needs to weigh the pros
and cons and decide for themselves
what is right for them.”
I
Andy Moore ’JunionPolitics
“I agreed with Dr. Smith’s argu-
ments. In my ideal marriage the amount
of caring and love that would come
from using Natural Family Planning
would justify its use. To me the argu-
ments are rationally valid and the bet-
ter choice to support a loving relation-
ship."
by Peter Mitchell
The second of the Sexual Ethics
Series lectures was given by Dr. Janet
E. Smith on Wednesday evening, Oct.
9. Smith’s topic was “Contraception—
Is It Beneficial or Not to A Relation-
ship?” Smith, a professor of philoso-
phy at the University and the author of
Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later,
argued that the answer to this question
is that contraception is clearly not bene-
ficial, and in fact harms, relationships.
The first lecture, "Premarital Sex:
A Form of Exploitation?" was deliv-
ered by Dr. Mark Lowery, professor of
theology, on September 25.
Smith began by pointing out that
contraception is a relatively new phe-
nomenon. “Until 1930, all churches
were opposed to any form of contracep-
tion,” Smith said. “In many states as
well, itwas illegal up until 1960. Contra-
ception did not become widely used
until the pill became popular in the late
1950s.”
With the onset of the sexual revolu-
tion, contraception was used to facili-
tate pre-marital sex. “People thought
that pre-marital sex would enhance
marital relationships,” she said. They
believed that by engaging in pre-mari-
tal sex they wouldn’t get seduced into
marriage by desiring a sexual relation-
ship alone. Another commonly held
view was that contraception would
reduce unwanted pregnancies.
“Today, every one of these predic-
, I I
il
tions has been proven false. Divorce
has absolutely skyrocketed. More than
50 percent of marriages today end in
divorce!”
Smith mentioned research done by
a professor in Chicago, which showed
that as the availability of contracep-
tives went steadily upwards, so did the
divorce rate. The divorce rate leveled
off only when contraceptives had be-
come universally available.
Having a child often gives mar-
riages new life, Smith pointed out.
“Babies make relationships last longer.
People have more impetus to work out
a relationship—they don’t want to leave
their child. Divorce becomes more
than just leaving your spouse, it in-
volves potentially leaving your chil-
dren as well.”
Although many people would dis-
agree, one of the worst things about
contraception is that it does facilitate
sex outside of marriage, Smith said.
“Sex outside of marriage puts sex at the
center of a relationship, when it really
should not be. It is almost impossible
to have pre-marital sex without deceiv-
ing someone, whether it’s your friends,
parents or teachers. This isn’t a good
practice to get into.”
Smith stated that “contraception
violates the meaning of sexual inter-
course.” She pointed out that interest-
ingly enough, modem culture tries to
deny this relationship between sex and
having children, viewing sex only as a
Cecilia Johnson ’Senior-English
“I tend to agree with the side of the
issue on which Dr. Smith stands. The
sexual act can be a very beautiful and
sacred commitment if it is given the
respect and reverence it deserves. Mar-
riage seems to be the ideal, and quite
possibly the only situation in which this
can be fostered. Natural Family Plan-
ning should be the only avenue that
allows the respect and reverence be-
tween the couple to survive. Contrary to
today’s popular belief, continence is
necessary for a truly loving and healthy
relationship. It is only when we turn
away from the 'me' and embrace the 'us'
that this will be realized.”
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ning (NFP) as an alternative to contra-
ception which is just as effective in
preventing pregnancy. She said that
studies have shown that couples who
use NFP have a divorce rate under 5
percent. “That’s just a figure they
choose. It’s really more like under 1
percent.” Some people would say that
NFP and contraception are essentially
the same thing, Smith said. In fact,
couples who are using one method or
the other will almost never consider
switching to the other. “Couples using
NFP have a physical revuls ion to contra-
ception,” she said. “It’s not just a matter
of changing methods, it’s a matter of
changing your entire lifestyle. Switch-
ing methods changes your whole rela-
tionship with your spouse.”
NFP is superior to contraception as
a means of preventing pregnancy in
several ways, Smith said. “NFP is ab-
solutely natural. It’s also mutual. In-
stead of one person bearing the respon-
sibility, both spouses must learn how to
abstain. Couple learn to communicate
more. Practicing NFP often improves
and enhances their relationship. Contra-
ception, however, is an obstacle to inti-
macy within a relationship. There is an
incredible difference between contra-
ceptive sex and non-contraceptive sex
in the feeling of openness to your spouse
which is experienced.”
Smith reiterated several times that
NFP is just as effective (if not more
effective) as contraception. “Depend-
ing on the length of the abstention pe-
riod, NFP can be even more effective
than contraception.” This final fact
eliminates any possible justification one
could have for defending contracep-
tion, Smith said.
The Sexual Ethics Lecture Series
will resume on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at
7:30 p.m. in Catherine Hall. Fr. James
Lehrberger will speak on the topic
abortion. All are cordially invited to
attend.
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pleasure-giving act. “Somepeople claim
that the only purpose of sex is to give
pleasure,” she said. “If that’s the full
meaning, then why aren’t we doing it
freely all the time? Sex is much more
than that. It’s one of the most meaning- her body.”
ful acts of human communication that Smith suggestednatural family plan-
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Dr. Janet Smith spoke on contraception in Catherine Hall on Oct.9.
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University News (Irving, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 8, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 16, 1991, newspaper, October 16, 1991; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1218426/m1/6/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Dallas.