Volume I Number 1 September 1972 Sex Information and Education EPORT Council of the U.S. THE NOW OF THE KINSEY FINDINGS by Wardell B. Pomeroy, Ph.D* There is no question but that sexual mores in 1972 are con- heterosexual behavior as two separate, compartmentalized siderably different from what they were in 1948and in 1953 (the types. This scale, by a single number, can tell the whole story of respective publication dates of Sexual Behavior in the Human the relation of one’s homosexual to one’s heterosexual Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female). Hence it is behavior and/or psychic response. Therefore, although the appropriate to examine the significance that these two volumes scale has not caught on to the degree that it might have, I still have for our understanding of the current sexual scene. believe it should become more and more useful with time. If one views, in context, our present attitudes and behavior Another concept developed by the Kinsey research which regarding sex, one recognizes a marked increase in open dis- has changed our thinking has been that of total sexual outlet. cussion of all forms of sexual behavior, an increased accep- Some have objected that to add orgasms derived from mas- tance about the sexual behavior of others, and a gradual in- turbation to those derived from intercourse, for example, is crease in the incidences of masturbation and of premarital, like adding apples and oranges. However, to take into con- postmarital and extramarital intercourse. We do not yet know sideration only a particular form of outlet and to try to deduce whether this increase also applies to homosexuality. from that the extent and nature of an individual’s sexual Regardless, the rate at which all of these increases have oc- interest or drive can give an entirely false picture. Many people curred since the 1920’s seems to have been constant, and hence do exactly that, however, because we are so addicted to using I would contend that we are experiencing a sexual evolution, orgasm from coitus as the sole measurement of sex drive. not a revolution. The Kinsey data also identified certain external factors as Thus the general base lines for sexual behavior as set forth being related to sexual behavior. For example, the research in the two Kinsey volumes were essentially correct then and, showed an inverse correlation between level of religious with the changes indicated above, are correct now. For the devoutness (as measured by church attendance) and sexual ac- most part, the reliability and validity tests of the Kinsey research tivity. Another important and today especially relevant con- were within acceptable limits, with the general observation tribution of the two Kinsey volumes was the information holding that the greater the tabooness of the behavior, the concerning the differences of sexual behavior and attitudes for greater the cover-up of that behavior. different social and -educational levels. These proved to be Because we knew so little about people’ssexual livesother somewhat more striking for males but were nevertheless also than our own (except for a few published clinical cases), the true for females, and appeared to hold nbt only for the U.S. knowledge gained from the Kinsey research of the enormous from its earliest beginnings, but to have their counterparts in range of individual variations in the population at large came as Europe where we originated. Because of today’s greater com- a surprise, and awakened many people to the fact that others munication about sex and the considerable increase in college could have sexual lives vastly different from their own and still attendance, I believe that these social class differences are be within “normal” limits. Obviously the same range of becoming less marked but nevertheless remain real and im- variation must exist today as 25 years ago. portant. Trying to base social policy on upper class mores The scale developed by Kinsey for measuring homosexual without taking into account lower class behavior and attitudes and heterosexual behavior (the O-6 scale) was of prime value in can only throttle communication and thwart advances in breaking away from the confines of classifying homosexual and alleviating sexual problems. In our youth-oriented culture little attention or concern has been given to sex and aging. We noted that in the male *Dr. Pomeroy was Director of Field Research at the Institute for Sex there is an early upsurge of sexual activity, but that it begins to Research from 1943 to 1963, matching Dr. Kinsey in the number of sex decline from the.late teens onward. While this fact may seem interviews he did-8000 each. With Kinsey and others, he co-authored obvious, it was known only superficially when our research Sexual Behavior in the Human Male; Sexual Behavior in the Human began. In studying the female histories, we were surprised to Female; Pregnancy, Birth and Abortion; and Sex Offenders. His re- find that the curve was different, reaching a peak in the twen- cently published book, Dr. Kinsey and The institute for Sex Research, ties, then arriving at a plateau and beginningto taper off only in is reviewed on p. 6 of this issue of the S/ECUS Report. Dr. Pomeroy is currently a psychotherapist and marriage counselor in New York City. Continued on page 2 SPEAKING OUT October 22-28 is American Education Week. In the great October 22-28 is American Education Week. School state of California, which has the highest divorce rate of any systems and legislators conveniently continue to ignore the state in the country (one in two marriages) and far higher vene- reports of three governmental task forces-on Venereal real disease and suicide rates than Sweden, the health educator Disease, on Obscenity and Pornography, on Population Policy (until the recent passage of AB 71, a special bill exempting VD and the American Future-a// recommending comprehensive education from restrictions applying to sex education in the sex education for all age groups. And when community schools) dared not teach 12th graders about venereal diseases, members visit schools during that week, will they be asking their dangers, their prevention. For, if he mentions the word what their schools are doing to implement these recommen- “sex” in the classroom without parental permission, he faces dations? automatic suspension and other penalties. And how can you teach about venereal disease as part of communicable disease October 22-28 is American Education Week. SIECUS con- control without mentioning that it istransmitted by sexual con- tinues to go quietly about its business of helping adults in the tact? professions of medicine, health education, teaching, religion, nursing, to cope with the demands being made on them by October 22-28 is American Education Week. In an East Los young and old alike for more and better education about sex Angeles high school a health educator was forbidden to discuss and family planning. Things that are worthwhile and needed contraceptive methods in a Preparation for Marriage class, on are rarely convenient, but they are exciting and rewarding. All pain of a fine of 500 dollars and permanent loss of credentials over this great country men and women in these and other for teaching within California. Another 12th grade teacher professions are bestirring themselves to join SIECUS in meeting reported that “many of my 12th grade students have two and the challenge, for to return to the dark ages-of fear, guilt and three children already, and it is too late.” (Los Angeles Times, mythology about human sexuality is unthinkable to them. June 12, 1972.) Mary 5. CaIderone, M.D. Ed itor Continued from page 7 the mid-fifties, often considerably after and not related to menopause. In both sexes, however, the longevity of respon- siveness was astonishing: Sexual activity was recorded up to age eighty and above, a finding amply confirmed by several subsequent studies, particularly those of Masters and Johnson. Perhaps in the end the Institute for Sex Research itself will stand as a greater contribution than anything Kinsey published. It is the only one of its kind in the world, with resources that make it a repository without equal. More and more scholars are learning of this tremendous treasure of books, pictures, films, diaries, calendars, magazines, ephemera of every description, and superb art objects, and are using these facilities for research purposes. When one looks at the history of sex research one isstruck Volume I, Number 1 September 1972 with the paucity of studies that are statistically adequate, replicable, theoretically sound, and pragmatically important. The S/ECUS Report is published bi-monthly with volumes There are considerably fewer than 100 such studies. I see the beginning in September. Kinsey reports as among these few, not only for having given us Single copies of this issue are s 1.50. new facts and concepts of what people do sexually, but also Bulk rates are available on request. because they were the first to succeed in creating the at- Subscription information is included on p 15. mosphere of openness and objectivity about observing and Editor-Mary S. Calderone, M.D. talking about human sexuality that was so vital as groundwork Managing Editor-Lorna B. Flynn, M.A. for future research. It has been said that if Freud were alive today he would be Copyright 0 1972 by anti-Freudian; in other words, he would not have remained fix- The Sex Information and Education Council ated at his own early Freudian position. I believe if Kinseywere of the U.S., Inc. 1855 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10023 alive today he would, quite incidentally, be pleased at the changes in openness and attitudes about sex, but primarily he No part of the S/ECUS Report may be reproduced in any form would assuredly takethe position of how much more there is to wrthout written permrssion from the SIECUS Publications Office.