[Using the condom--on coping with a necessary evil]

Social aspects of condom use are mentioned by outlining some sections of the historical development of condom use (early and pre-history, family history in England during the 19th century, combat against syphilis, the "birth-strike-debate" in the German social democratic party). A few results of an own questionnaire research about students' sexuality (n = 666) are presented. They give some hints about a change in the use of different contraceptional techniques in comparison with former studies done in the sixties and at the beginning of the eighties. Condom users and non-users seem to be different in terms of concepts of partnership, sexual contentment and aids preventive behaviour. Finally we discuss some psychological aspects of condom use with regard to the--sparse--relevant literature and to an own qualitative study of the motivation of users and non-users.