But the decrease in agreement with the latter statement hides the fact that agreement with legalizing marijuana had been as low as 15 percent in 1989. By 1996 it was back up to 35 percent, compared to 40 percent in 1971. Interestingly though, while students seemed less interested in premarital sex and drugs, cigarette smoking is again on the rise, particularly with women. The overall percentage of freshmen who reported that they smoke cigarettes is about the same in both 1971 and 1996, but since 1985 the figure has doubled, from 9 percent to 18 percent. Smoking came to campus when freshmen came to campus with the habit.
Women are now more interested in pursuing advanced degrees than men.
The attitudes of both sexes have also changed regarding the role of women in society.