The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-14
lCnp,IiSht. lT5.)

Copyright. lol5)
Lucille and her mother were visit
ing She Geological Garden. They were
standing beside the enclosure for the
large birds. and a stork came strid-
ing slowly toward them. He snatched
from Lucile's hand the sweet biscuit
she held out to him between the bars
Of the big cage.
"Oh mamma see. he knows me-"
the little girl exclaimed in surprise
and delight. and everybody within
hearing smiled.
1t is pretty fable-that of the
stork and the baby. But what about
our little ones when they grow older
and begin to question the facts of
life? Shall we tell them fables then?
There is no more important ques-
ton than this-none of which there is
greater need for discussion in our
Mothers Club-this one which ! have
called the Secrets of Life.
When l was girl our mothers did
not speak of these things at all. My
mother. for all her love for me. for
all her desire to rear me to noble,
useful womanhood. had herself been
brought up in the Puritan belief Of
the utter sinfulness Of the human
body. Never when 1 was growing up
not even when l was a woman, mar
did she discuss with me any Of the
vital facts of physical life. 1t was
the temper of the times.
What Is happening in our day?
Questions Of sex are uppermost. I
had almost said they are the chief
topic of conversation between girls
and young men, Books. stories and
magazine articles are poured forth to
enlighten US upon this ono theme in
all its phases. The theater seems al
most given over to an expose OF sex
ual crimes with all their revolving
details. The teaching of sex hygiene
in the public schools before mixed
classes of boys and girls is seriously
advocated by some earnest ana
thoughtful educators
Truly it seems as If we had jumped
from the frying pan into the fire in
stead OF seeking a place Of safety be-
tween. where we might escape a
scorching. Let US see II we mothers
cannot find a way to solve the prob
lem.
For one thing do not believe in
teaching sex hygiene in the pubic
schools. I am we'll aware that in
this I differ with many well-known
educators. But think the sacred
secrets of life should be impaired to
little children only by the lips of low
ing mothers.
THE difficulty" say the educators.
lis to reach the mothers. Few moth
ers themselves know the facts well
enough to give their children 4 cor
rect understanding Of them"
Very we'll. then. let US teach the
mothers. We of the Mothers Club
can study the great facts of biology
for ourselves. can organize mothers'
circles for such study in our own
can SO interest our
selves in the matter that our influ-
ence will soon make itself felt until
there will be no longer a demand
for such teaching otuside the home.
I am sure, too. that the question OF
human relationships will then be put
on such common-sense basis that
the craving for unholy literature and
drama will be overcome. Isn't this
worth while for the Moth |
ers' Club to work for?
One mother in the middle West has
written this to me OF the way In
which she has treated tho subject:
Dear Aunt Chatty:
It have been so perplexed to know |
how to answer the questions of my
s-year-old Ethel. Like all children.
about the hidden facts of life. and
cannot bear to tell her untruths.
Then. too. I want her to feel that |
she can always come to me in her
difficulties. Finally, little book Of
advice to mothers on that very SUD-
ject fell into my hands. and I read