The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-03-23

Perhaps the most difficult problem
for many parents Is the sex ques-
ton. From a philosophical and medi.
cal point of view We see ahead only
the breakers of superstition, false
modesty and traditions handed to US
by our forebears. who confused ignor
ance with innocence.
Barring these obstacles the normal
child can be guided safely through
his most critical period in life. Curl
osity in the human is one Of its most
persuasive instincts and is bound to
find satisfaction. Honesty should be
the keystone of every child's charact.
er and, like the measles, 1t is catch
ing. Should We then, when a child
asks for knowledge of the organs
and functions which nature has CIV
en- him, offer him lot of apparent
lies and evasions which he scorns,
and then secretly seeks the know
ledge through the willing degenerate
who teaches the subject in the most
morbid and lowly manner, often SOW
ing the seeds of unconquerable vic
es? II is said an ounce of preven-
tion is worth a pound of cure. In
this case it is worth tons. The value
of theory is its yield in practice.
Civilization has theorized that ignor-
ance of sex knowledge should yield
the innocent and pure youth who
should be the father of a pure gener-
alton. The moral harvest of such a
theory when compared with the NOR
ais of many naked and savage tribes
would cause civilization to hang its
head in shame.
Teaching Sex Truths
The sex instinct is the most com
pelling force in nature, and is the
rock on which millions of lives have
been wrecked. II old theories have
failed, should we not try others that
offer reasonable though partial
solution of the problem?
True knowledge of other pheno-
mena is generally considered desir-
able. Why should the sex problem
be considered an exception? lnno-
Cence and modesty are rather rela-
tive terms depending upon social US
ages, religious beliefs, and what
does my neighbor think about it?"
Why should children be taught to re-
gard with shame and loathing the Or
gans and instincts which are nessary
Ito multiply and replenish the
earth' At some and perhaps many
periods in our lives we have felt the
need of an advisor and confessor
Why should not the boy or girl feel
a. perfect and absolute freedom in
confiding with his father or mother?
The information given by parents
win arouse no morbid thoughts; GU
riosity will be satisfied, and the child
will be fortified in the struggle which
he surely must fight. 1t is self con-
troll, knowledge, and realization of
dangers incident to the sex that
should be taught to the child. We
should begin early in life and by
successive stages so gradually will
the knowledge be gained that by the
age of puberty the child will have
such complete knowledge that from
a common sense point of view and
for his own welfare, he is apt to go
straight. Many of the social scan
dals for which the woman pays the
price may be avoided if mothers will
take their girls into their confidence
and give them the knowledge they
are entitled to have. Temperament
tai variations in children are obvious.
The sexual characteristics of each
individual child should be consider
ed and special care and training
should be given some, while others of
a passive nature require but little
attention.
Dealing With Offenders
In dealing with sex offenders many
factors should be considered AT
times thorough examination by
physician may disclose mental or
physical defects for which the patti
ent is not responsible. At any rate
reasoning and training should be con-
sidered before corporal punishment,
which may only cause the child to be-
come more secretive, resentful and
still to remain uncured.
If we keep our children continual
ly busy with work, study and health
full play, their minds will develop
along the channels which we desire.
DR.. MARCUS THRANE
Sevenoak3 Ranch