by. Two Editorials . . Sex Education — As Bob Weber of Iowa’s Planned Parenthood Association said ring the best attended Interim coffee hour, “Sex is here to stay," hile this pronouncement is hardly a revelation, it is an un- duestionabls fact which is too often ignored. An upcoming Sex Ed- “cation Seminar, planned by Grinnell’s Sex Education Committee, plans to deal with the subject of sex on a laudably realistic basis The seminar will include lectures by University of Iowa Hos- tal gynecologist Kerschmar and Iowa sociologist fra L. Reiss, uthor of “Premarital Sex Standards in America." (Melinda Ward reviews his book in this issue.) Kerschmar, experienced in discus- ing the physiological aspects of sex‘ will include slides, basic in- ormation and the medical philosophy of sex in his talk while iteiss plans to deal with the psychosocial aspects of sex educa- tion. Besides the two professional lectures, the seminar will offer a Grinneli faculty panel on ethical factors of sexuality, Optional dis- uussion groups based on the lectures will be open to student partick pants and will be led by student volunteers. The Sex Education Committee, according to AWS Board presi- dent Karen Lauterbach, “hopes to involve faculty members and students in the seminar’s informal coffee hours and discussion groups,” and is presently seeking participants for the faculty panel and student discussion group leaders If Grinnell Students display substantial support of the seminar, there is a good chance it will be instituted as an annual event~ as the committee hopes. A yearly sex seminar offering the latest ins formation on all aspects of sexuality, like a similar extant Oberlin seminar for freshmen, would be a valuable addition to the Grin- nell education. An achievement of which the Sex Education Committee and its motivating force, Karen Lauterbach, can he justly proud, the im~ pending seminar proves that committees can accomplish ends. t-lappily, there exists at Grinnell a viable mode of community re sponse to student stimulus. Students have made obVlous their in- terest in a sex education program by overflow attendance at Mr. Crossett’s virginity monologue and the Interim coffee hour on pre- marital sex. Coming at a time both opportune and 'cnicial with respect to the probable elimination of women's hours, the seminar's pragamatic emphasis will be a welcome, much needed change from previous discussions exclusively moral approach —5. G. Student Initiative — The student Theater Board and the Grinnell Players are to be commended for the active interest they have shown in extending their own education in drama and related fields. They set up a "Theatre Interim Seminar” in which several plays that the partici- Eants had read were discussed. This semester the Board plans to ave a series of “informal seminar type talks" led by faculty members; those taking part include Professors Kissane, Nelson, Foster, Farslow, Steiner, Crossett and others. The Board, which for a while published its own ditto news- paper, also has a program of movie discussmns; recently 23 stu- dents saW “Morgan” at the Strand Theater and then held a “coffee hour” to talk about it. will W. Credit Due — Last week we commended students for their efforts in pro- ducing a successful Interim but further credit must go where credit is due. Although students met with hesitancy on the part of some members of the administration, we have been informed that this skepticism was not universal. President Glenn Leggett and Dean James Stauss helped make Interim a reality by providing financial backing. They found lufficient funds to keep the campus open for those extra days, to pay maid and janitor salaries and to commission SAGA. Dru Joseph Wall, Chairman of the Faculty, is also to be thanked for aiding the students and helping to obtain support from “Ihe faculty and administration. —K N. Scarlet" and Black GIINurLL COLLEGE Grinnoll. low- A weekly newspaper published urn mm of tn. college year by the Grinnell Committee on Student pun» licallons. Represented tor national .dvenlrin h Na- uonn Advertising service. inc. collar: iuhllsncrs v, Representative. is East 50th Street, New York. 22, N.Y. esecond cilss vosuge paid at crinnell. Iowa. Sublcrlntion nu tam per rcnool year. ism p- runrerlpuons. . xryrryn. mum-n suson Will Slunne Gclncr Harold rum. Henry Wilhelm .. ,, . .lonn Wolf Richard limp, Plui Nrcnm-n, nlcnua Schnelrrw, Klthy she. . sieve Carey sus-n xmer Assocure mlron EDITORS' ASSISTANT solmc: CONSULTANT mlroallu. arm: SPORTS EDITOR . , cmrr ruo'rouruumrn IUSINESS s-rArr .. Mike Delete, Chuck pcmcnnrk action-rim; snnr ,mnh. Berkey, Nell Fischer, Jan mic. Andy nuns, rhyln. Manly, .le demoon, Don winncy SCARLET AND BLACK Book Review A Sociological Look at Sex By Melinda Ward “Premarital Sexual Standards in America” by Ira L, Reiss, a sociologist at SUI, is a socio- logical investigation of the relative social and cul» tural integration of American standards. This book, unlike many books being written on sex today, deals with sexual standards rather than behavior. Reiss feels that by studying standards “one can see more fully Ihe role of society and culture in sexual behavior.” In this review X will at pt to convey the contents, rather than or ze the methods and theories. The book can be broken down into three main sections, the first of which deals with the sexual nature of man and America‘s sex- uni heritage. Relss “established man‘s roots in the animal klngdom" hy illustrating physh illogical similarities of men and animals and by giving examples of parallel muting habits and characteristics. For instance, we find the male-dominated family system among sen elephants and the icmale moth is a recog- nizahle Coquette. Beyond these superficial similarities to our customs, there is a major difference, that being the concept of learned behavior, Although there are biological and inherited aspects found in all of man’s behavior, there is a great deal of Variance to be found in differ- ent societies concerning sexual standards for men and women and social customs of courtship. “in determining specific characteristics learning is the dominant factor, and the inherited aspect only a minor limitation.” Reiss goes on to give examples of cultures which do not. consider the male the aggressive sex. For instance, “at a ceremonial dance the Goajiro woman (on Bali) is permitted to trip a man; and if she succeeds he is dutyrbound to have intercourse with her.” Reiss also shows us that our standards of sexual beauty are far from universal. What appeals to men in one so- ciety does not appeal to men in other societies —— this is learned behaviorr Likewise there is no universal standard concerning premarital and extramarital intercourse ur homosexuality. In light of this "learned behavior” theory, the con- flict between “body and soul” can be dispensed with and be better stated and understood in terms of a conflict between “a learned desirable way of satiating man’s partly physiological and partly icamed sexual desires, on the one hand, and his learned ideas about right and wrong, on the other hand” Following this introductory explanation, Reiss discusses America’s sexual heritage; from what cultures our present-day standards have come and developed, For instance, the proverbial double Standard is to be found in the divorce laws and sexual morality oi the anClent Hebrews. “Although abstinance was the formal standard (both men and women were forbidden premari- tal or extramarital coitus), informally the writ- ten punishments and social censure was much greater for the female than for the male. In Greek civilization women who were married stayed in the home and extramarital sex was strictly forbidden However, men were expected to have an extramarital sex life. Demosthenes is quoted by Reiss. “Man has the Hetaerae for erotic enjoyments, con- cuhines for daily use and wives of equal rank - Io bring up children and to be faithful house- wives.” Homosexuality was also acceptable for Greek men. Roman women had I few more rights. They were allowed to appear in public with their husbands. "The Romans idealized their mothers and women in gen- erni. To Insure virginity, the Romans taught their women from birth to think If chastity as the highest good." Apparently the early Christians had a very low regard for sexual relations and marriage based on their belief in the Second Coming of Christ. “The early Christians felt that marriage was a second rate choice, but if one lacked self-con~ trol, he had to take a choice. 'It is better to marry than burn'." The status of women bit the lower depths under Christianity — woman were the source of sin. However, “the woman who was not a temptress could perform a respectable rule in Christian societyr She was given the alterna- tive of marriage or a nunnery." Women gained a kind of equality in that abstinence was the for- mal standard for both sexes. ”The Christian in- fluence has given our culture an element of gUilt associated with all sexual behavior outside marriage. We still have this attribute to a con- siderable degree at the present,” The birth of Romantic Love in the 11th century plays a large role in our sexual standards today. “Out of the Christian de' 'a- datlon of sex rose the romantic idealizatmn of it. To the knights and troubadour, his lady was an angel, in collection of perfec- tion." In those days love and marriage did not go hand in hand and for awhile it was thought that to consummate love with sexual intercourse Was to destroy it. This tradition underwent many changes and finally the love object became a single girl rather titan a married lady of the court, love and marriage were wedded, and parental right to choose a mate was seriously challenged. The final influence that Reiss cites is that of the feminist revolt which came along with the industrial revolution. After 1848, women began to go to college, earn their own living, and be- came freer sexually, all of which began to weak- en the traditional standard considerably. With the industrial revolution the tight-knit family of an agrarian society began to disappear and cities provided a place for divirgent ideas and anonymity. In the twentieth century We have had more rapid change than ever before. In next week’s article i will talk of Reiss’ analysis of today‘s sexual standards and of the behavior and consequences that are a result of the complex and conflicting standards of modern America, Chairman Ronnie Reagan Letters . . . To the Editor: Some weeks ago, a number by Mike Amow With the recent purge of high- ranking state official Clark Kerr, the civil war in Califor- nia has entered a critical stage. All out—Of-Slale reporters have been confined to quarters, and no first-hand accounts of events are available. However, observ- ers at the near-by off-shore is- land of Santa Catalina have been able to piece together this account from emigrating college students: Governor Ronald Reagan has ordered a shut-down on all came puses of [he Califoniia “niillti< versity." Thus, all students will be freed from scholastic chores to pursue the goals of the anti— cultural revolution. The governor has mvited stu- dents to serve the people of California by touring the state and routing out subversive culta ural elements. At last report, three beatniks were dragged from a street-car in San Fran- cisco, and made to confess their crimes publicly, "The Right Guards"—as the students are known — gave each of the beat- nills a shave and a copy of “Chairman Ronnie’s Thoughts" (it is Suspected by some that these thoughts are, in fact, lines from G. E. Theater). At last notification Chairman Ronnie had announced that, as soon as the anti-cultural revo- lution is consolidated. the state of California will be able to move forward in its "Great Leap Backward." of friends and relatives back home expressed serious concern about my education and future. It seems that Grinnell is just too progressive and visionary, yea, too radical, for them Well, they may now rest assured that such is not the case, for our administration is currently highballing us straight back in- to the past. “Yea, rah Pioneers! Ronald Reagan, here we come!" Richard. H. Ileilbrou Totbe Editor: When I came to Grinnell as a transfer last semester, 1 was ini~ tially impressed and intrigued by . spirit of critical, inquiring intelligence which pervaded much of the college‘s lite. x5. ter completing a semester, how ever, I have begun to reglizp the danger of men rprrlt it it LETTERS—- (Continued on Nut Page)