The Washington herald., 1913-12-28
Home DECLARED THE PLACE
FOR SEX HYGIENE Teaching
Prominent Catholic Points Out Some Dangers that He
Thinks Would Follow Instruction Along This Line
in the Public Schools

1 SHAS w BGN1lh6 away AEOnl It's bOund
can safety be gained. This Is not a
principle merely of ascetic theology-it Is
pronouncement of accredited psyche
physiology. For inevitably following
upon instruction in matters Of sex, i'm
ages are formed in the phantasy that
react on the whole organism. II Is from
these sensuous forms that ordinarily the
passion is aroused. And the stronger
and hltVelier the imagination and, con-
versely, the weaker and more hating
the will. the greater and more menacing
become such impressions.
Seduction OF the VIII.
In the case Of the young these condi-
tons are pronouncedly present, and in
eritably there would ensue upon tho dis
cussion OF the sexual life and its pro-
cesses "A stimulation that would seduce
the will before the evil effects of pas
sion could be realized Now. this Is
not the outline of a pathoIogicaI process
but Of an absolutely normal one The
cieanest boy and girl" SAYS Prof. Mum
sterberg, cannot give theoretical atten-
ton to the thoughts concerning sexuaiity
without the whole mechanism for re-en-
forcement automatically entering into
action. We may instruct with the best
intention to suppress. and yet our in
structiOn itself must become source
ot stimulation, which unnecessarily Gre
ates the desire for improper conduct"
1t is argued. however that right in
formation is required to counteract the
Misrepresentation which are so fire.
Quently impaired by vicious associates
But just here We come upon an effective
argument against the introduction OF the
proposed instruction into the schools.
For the subject Of the classroom discus
sion, though il be ever so skillfuIly and
delicately presented, will be later called
up by the depraved as a theme upon
which to exercise their scurility and
mischievous wit True, children OF this
kind need not to be prompted to discover
their evil thoughts: nevertheless, they
will not fail to avail themselves of the
opportunity thus presented to give a
wider play to their degrading influence.
Working of Imagination.
But it may be contended that after the
sound instruction Of the school the power
10 mislead will be taken from these chill
dren. Such would be true II the latter
induced the innocent to wrong through
psychological, physiological, or patho-
logical error. This, however, is ordinari-
ly not the case. The evil is accomplished
for the most part. not by misinforming
or deceiving the intellect, but by arous-
ing passion through representations Of
fered to susceptible imaginations-
We have said that the best natural
safeguard against this immortality was
to divert the attention from the con-
cupiscence OF the hesn. And this sug-
gests the role played by the sense OF
shame. The instructive character of
this sense should be accepted as an a
priori evidence OF its high value. 1t
must have, We should suppose. a func-
tion for which the intellect OF itself is
We recognize such purpose
in the case of other deeply rooted in
stincts. We know, for instance. that
reason demands that every individual
should take all available means to pre-
serve his life, yet over and above this
is the impulse of instinct
supplying the deficiency which in many
a contingency would arise from the tardy
Of the higher faculty.
We perceive. too. that the good Of So
ciety requires that brother and sister
should not entertain for each other the
kind of sentiment that would prompt 10
their intermarriage. Reason would point
out the evil consequences that would
ensue, could such affection arise between
those growing up together in the init
mate association of the home. But an
terror to the revelations Of reason and
<the danger that would result
rom waiting upon its discursive process,
L providential instinct repels from these
attachments. So in the instinct of shame
We should find preseryatiye Of purity
preservative which reason unaided
would often be too slow to afford. This
n fact is the case. For this instinct puts
/ check to that freedom of speech and
lction which would incite to passion be-
'ore the warnings of reason could be
heard.
As indicated at the beginning Of this
Lrticle, our criticism has been immediate
V directed against the plan to intro
luce instruction in sex matters into the
curriculum of our common schools. We
would not, however, be charged with
lesring to shut OF from the young all
and direction regarding
heir sexual life. But the place for such
Information and guidance is the home.
And it is the church that is to confirm
nd perfect the instruction that should
now its beginnings in the home.