Communication about Birth Control: An Exploratory Study of Freshman Girls' Information and Attitudes

Abstract

An interview study of 50 freshman women indicates that the girls were not sophisticated about birth control knowledge and that this aspect of sexual behavior was not of central concern to them. 85% had discussed birth control either in high school or college with someone mostly girl friends. 90% could name 3 or more methods of birth control; most were familiar with oral contraceptives. Use of contraception seems low among their acquaintances and few of the respondents seem to have had coitus. Those most knowledgeable tended to be: Jewish or Catholic majors in humanities or natural sciences first-born or only children and those with high verbal scores. The college selection process seems to screen out the social and religious class differences which occur in the general population in relation to birth control attitudes. Among this sampling there will be increased interest in contraception as the girls get older and the likelihood of interest in effective family planning when they marry.