THE LAWS OF SEX

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 279, 19 August 1920, Page 7

THE LAWS OF SEX

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTION OF

CHILDREN

ADDRESS TO SCHOOL TEACHERS

An instruotivo address on the training of tho young in the laws of sex was delivered at a meeting of tho Wellington branch of the Educational Institute last night by Dr. E. H. Willrins, chief medical officer of the Education Department. Quoting freely from the book on the subject written by tho Rev. the Hon. E. Lyttelton, late headmaster of Eton College, Dr. Wilkins at the outset said that he was. not going to suggest any extra duty to be shouldered by teachers. He Pointed to tho widespread ignorance on tho subject of sex among young people. Most parents contented thomselves with merely warning their children against temptation. Warning about dangers without instruction was worse than useless. , The many problems involved should bo understood by the child, but •how could tho child bo made to understand if parents refrained from explaining to H .hem tho intricacies of sex? In appealing for straightforward and confidential instruction of children, Dr. Wilkins pointed to the fact that stray and I haphazard information picked up in a wrong tone produced a distorted, vicious imagination which prompted selfindhlgence. Again, Naturo could not long tolerate ignorance. On account of tho disinclination of the parents to educate their children on the subject thore was a shame-faced reserve on all sides.Just when the need for' knowledge on the part of tho growing child was keenest a refusal to enlighten him was often disastrous. Instruction was. given on all other subjects, yet it was the most vital of all subjects. The silence of parents contrasted strangely in tho child's mind with' their outspokenness in other directions. There were, continued Dr. 'Wilkins, two methods_ of instruction. One was by explaining tho laws of. sex in relation to botanical life and the lower forms of life, leaving tho child to draw its own inferences. . The other ■method ■■ was to give the child the straightforward instruction that it really required. Ho favoured the latter method, because children were no good nt analogy. The personal method was easier and ■ move straightforward. Another point which tho lecturer stressed was this: "Since the child is old enough to ask ,an intelligent question, he is old enough to receive an intelligent answer." Concluding, 'Dr. Wilkins emphasised that he did- not suggest instruction on the part of school teachers. Ho did not say who was to undertake the work, but ho desired to know what the teachers ■thought of his suggestion that it should be carried out by someone specially qualified to visit the schools in this con. nec'ion.

In the course of a general discussion, Mr. W. H. Foster said he was quite in accord with' tlie lecturer's opinion, that the task of enlightening school children in the matter should not be relegated to Reboot teachers. The. teaohera did.not think their duty.lay in this direction, nor did they, think they were the proper people to impart instruction. Another point made by- Mr. Foster was that, any collective teaching on the subject would possibly bo more harmful than beneficial It should be given individually. _

The upshot of further discussion was the adoption of resolutions expressing the opinion that, if-instruction on tho subieot was to be given in schools, such instruction should preferably be given individually by specially selected mem-, bens of tho medical branch of the Education Department.