SEX EDUCATION
[To the Rdilor of the SPECTATOR.] Sur,--- The Duchess of Atholl's interesting article in last week's Speetotor seenis to omit-some very vital points for those who have to- Make piaetieal application of this Pr'oblenr.
(I) It is of greater importance. for t he child that he should at any age feel that the parents sanction or accept his knowledge of the laws of reproduction than that he should have a very
thorough grasp of them in detail. •
(2) It is no less important that I 11,,,C responsible for answer- ing questions should be careful no/ to make the occasion one for warning and admonition. as is frequently done in the effort. to preserve a- high moral tone. The questions should he answered as straightforwardly as if they were Mood natt4ws or electric light, &C., on a basis that at the time only answers a- direct quest inn, (a) It has been 1' d wiser to satisfy the first simple and direct curiosity, not by talking about botany or animals, but by the briefest truth about human reproduction, and then lead the child front tile initial interest in his own origin to alt aspects of creative work vin plant life. &c., to art and architee- ture and so forth.
Clear thinking 011 these matters scents highly important or we may yet find that sex education, as it is called, may prove even more misguided in its efforts than the Conspiracy of Silence that preceded it.--- I am, Sir, &e., l,ra 324A King's Rood, ('heists;, S.W. 3.
Previous page
