Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-03-14

ject is in line with progressive thought
of the present day.
conditions in homes of some chill
dren are far from satisfactory. and
particularly in small homes occupied
by large families. Investigation in GER
tain sections of the city a
state of affairs open to criticism. Chill
dren from these homes are among those
to whom the instruction ia most valu-
able and yet their parents appear to
be the strongest obiectors."
Mrs. William z. Bartholomew, for
mer president of the Day Street Home
and School Association. said:
81 thoroughly approve of instruction
on this subject and the younger the chill
dren are to be advised the better for
them. 1 believe in telling the truth
when questions are asked, n II a
parent or guardian is not qualified to
do this then the information must be
given by a specialist in that line. ! APP
prove thoroughly of the work DR.. Por-
ter is doing"
To see just how the parents felt on
the subject, a Star reporter visited
many of the homes yesterday after
noon and talked the situation over
ana III GlcIy lIi6tuillC iohito tto CAhc
or both parents, objected to having
their daughters instructed in these sub
jects. rs it that you think your
daughter is too young to be told about
such matters?' was asked, "or do you
think the mother should tell the child?'
The reply was, 1--WE do not tell our
daughters about such things" At one
of the homes the mother said, ut was
not so much what the children are
taught in the school room that we OBJ
jected to, out that the children gather
in little groups in the neighborhood
and discuss the matter"
In every instance the complaints have
come from Italian homes. DR.. Herman
c. Cassini, of Essex venue, Orange,
who has many of the families among
his patients, contends that b subject
Is not a proper one for children In the
public schools. He declares that sew
eral parents have come to him asking
that he use his influence to have the
instruction discontinued. Some of the
girls who have been taken out of the
Lincoln Avenue School have been at
tending the Lady of Mt. Carmel School.
while Others are in attendance at st.
Johns P%arochial School The instruc-
ton has been given by DR.. Katherine
Porter, medical inspector in the Orange
public schools. The controversy is
causing much comment in the Oranges,
but there are many who are in favor
of having the instruction continued.
although not among Italians whose
children attend the public schools.
Members Of the Board of Education
of this city approached the subject
reluctantly. stating that they were un-
able to express themselves at length
or definitely ecaus of a lack of
familiarity with the true merits of the
problem.
Charles P. Taylor agreed hat the
question was III important one and
tina it was a necessary one for the
schools to take up, but he though that
children at the age of IL were too
young to properly accept the teachings
of sex hygiene.
They should get some training in
the home first" said Mr.. Taylor, land
then, When they reach High School
they are old enough to study and learn
the problem with less danger of evil
results.
1T ought to be taught successfully,