Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1920. "LAWS OF SEX.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2166, 21 August 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1920. "LAWS OF SEX.”

AN address on the training of children on the laws of sex was delivered at "Wellington this week at. a meeting of the Educational Institute by Dr, E, 'll. Wilkins, chief medical officer of the Education Department. There were, he said, two methods of instruction. One was by explaining the laws of sex in relation to botanical life, and the lower forms of life, leaving- the child to draw its own inferences. The other method was to give the child the straightforward instruction that it really required. lie favoured the latter method, heeause children were ■no good at analogy. The personal method was easier and more straightforward. Another point which the lecturer stressed was (Ids: “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.- Tic did not say who was to undertake the work, hut he desired to know what the teachers thought of his suggestion that it should he carried out by some one- specially qualified to visit the schools in this connection. Mr W. 11. Foster said he did not think the duty of teachers lay in HiaH direction. The meeting carried motions, expressing the opinion that if instruction on the subject was to be given in Schools, such instruction should preferably he given individually ]jy specially selected momhgrs of the medical branch of the Education Department.