Evening star., 1948-11-10
Letters to The Star,
Sex Education in the Schools

Sex Education in the Schools
| TO the Editor Of The Star
DR.. James A. Cannon, Board Of Education
member, states in an article in the current
Medical Annual" that sex docs not lend
itself to group instruction Of adolescents and
should not be taught in special classes"
would like to offer some observations that
present another side of this controversial
issue concerning the teaching of sex education.
Sex education means a great deal more
| than instruction concerning the facts of re-
production, as biological or physiological prin-
| ciples. It means instruction as a compre-
hensive and progressive process Of education
which attempts to establish socially desirable
| adult attitudes and practices necessary to
insure homemaking and worthwhile COM
| munity attitudes. Sex education must there
| fore, be developed organic part Of the
entire educational program. 1t must not
be considered a special and isolated bit OF
curriculum" to be taught at a given time
and then dismissed as finished.
AS conditions change and as knowledge ex-
pands 1t becomes necessary for the school to
assist the home more and more in its educa-
| tional functions. Children formerly picked
up hundreds Of details Of living through their
mere presence in q domestic environment in
| which basic social processes were carried on.
! Today the mothers time and energy often
| 20 into other tasks. That Is why the schools
| are called on to teach manners, morals, cook
| ing, sewing, how to look attractive ETC.
The time seems to have arrived when the
| school, in addition to teaching girls something
| Of the machinery and management Of house
holds, must teach boys and girls something Of
| the meaning Of family life and the conduct
| Of homes
In emphasizing the responsibility of the
| school, the intention is to enlarge the oppor-
tunity of the child, not to reduce the respon-
sibility Of the home. Departure from Gus
tomary practices may bring the school ad-
verse criticism and arouse controversy in the
community. Educators must nevertheless ask
themselves II they are willing to let these
reasons deter them In helping young people
adjust the problems Of sex and family Hfe
DR.. Cannon advocates "the teaching of sex
at the right time, in the right place by the
| right person, and If parents feel that their
instruction would not be adequate. then call
upon the doctor, clergyman or school coun-
| selor."
| A Problem for Experts.
It does not necessarily follow that either of
| these three named persons would be especially
capable of giving scientific and adequate in
formation on the many phases of sex educa-
ton including mental and social hygiene. Ac-
cording to the American Association of School
Administrators, few physicians are equipped
to deal with the essential problems of sex"
| The conflicts which keep youth awake on
troubled nights are largely psychological and
social problems. Boys and girls want to know
what others will think of them If they act
| this way or that
| Some of them want to know why they love
and hate the same person. They want to
know how to patch up quarrels and how to
keep love strong through the years. None
of us knows enough to answer all Of these
| questions wisely but persons well trained in
biology, physiology, psychology and sociology
will be able to help much more than any ex-
cept the very exceptional physician
AS teacher, disagree with Dr. Gannon's
| statement that "by the time the average
youngster enters high school he knows good
deal about the subject" At this point the
whole picture of q youths Interpretation of
sex is determined by the views concerning
sex education found in his own home the
views of his teachers concerning sex education
with any existing taboos; and the views of
his own companions pertaining to sex, be
| these views correct or incorrect. This in It
| self would prove the necessity Of crystali-
| zation of thoughts and information on this
subject to clear up any misinformation learned
up to this period of education, concerning sex
| education.
In conclusion, 1t would appear that the
| secondary schools would be the most appropri-
ate place for this sex education to be taught.
1t is the age when the sex impulse brings about
strains and discomforts and Embellishments,
and eventually, in many cases overt acts that
are socially disapproved and may become in
furious to the individual.
Adolescent boys and girls seek every sug-
gestion, every bit Of information, every bit
Of guidance that bears on their mutual re-
lationships. Many boys and girls would rather
turn for help and counsel and information
to anybody but their parents. The school
must answer these questions or they will seek
1t outside and they will get information and
counsel that may be detrimental to the in
dividual. his family and Society at large.
WENDALL A. PARRIS,
President, Health Physical Education and
Recreation Association.
"A Horrible Mistake
| To the Editor of The Star:
The letter from %. G. Teacher published
| in The Star for November is the best case
yet madefor the parents of elementary school
| yxk,o fhat & c