GIRLHOOD—PART I.
The Physical Manifestations
It has been said that the American girl between the ages of 12 and 18 is
the most neglected girl in the world. Just why this is so, it is
difficult to say, but I doubt whether she is alone in this neglect, for
this is known as the =adolescent period=, and it is only within the last
few years that the mental and physiological aspect of this period has
been at all considered, or its importance recognized in any part of the
world.
The =adolescent period= is the time occupied between the ages of 12 and
22, when the physical development comes suddenly into prominence; when
the mental faculties become independently active, and the sex of the
individual strongly manifests itself. It is a period of the greatest
importance to the girl herself, for her physical, mental and moral
development during this time will have an important effect on her future
life.
It is also a period of the greatest interest to the mother, provided
there is sympathy, confidence and understanding between them. Too much
importance cannot be attached to the necessity of an early confidence
between the girl and her mother before this period arrives for this will
give a girl a sense of superiority, a poise, an understanding of herself
and her nature. She will then be prepared for the changes taking place
within herself, and consequently be practically immune from the
influence of a bad environment, which otherwise might affect her in a
way detrimental to her health and happiness. Up to this period there is
very little manifestation of sex.
Fortunately, we have come to recognize that healthy outdoor play is as
good for the little girl as it is for the boy, and the ideas of our
grandmothers' day—that boys were to play ball, ride horseback, swim,
shoot, etc., while the girl's play was restricted to sedentary pursuits,
such as sewing, doll playing, etc.—have been placed on the relic heap,
and the girl of today keeps pace with her brother in physical freedom
and activity.
With the passing of those ideas passed also our ideal of the delicate
girl, with a cough, small waist and dainty appetite, and the girl
physically strong and healthy, with a broader view of life, has taken
her place.
About the age of 12 there comes a sudden change in the girl, her dresses
are outgrown, her form assumes shape, her bust and limbs develop, and,
in the words of Stanley Hall, “hips, thighs, limbs, shoulders and arms
round out into contours more or less beautiful, curves always
predominating over angles.” Thus we come to realize that the little girl
has left us.
The physical development is not alone in this work, for the mental and
moral instincts are developing so rapidly that it is difficult to
understand this new and lovely creature who is neither the child of
yesterday nor the woman of tomorrow.
There is often very little patience shown the adolescent girl, for
neither parents nor teachers have been aware that this is a separate and
distinct stage—this passing from childhood into womanhood—and as such
must be recognized.
Let us first take the bony structure. It is a well known fact that there
is not sufficient lime salts in the system to complete the bony
structure until the 25th year. The bones are not completely hardened,
which is one of the reasons that so many deformities have their
foundation laid at this time.
The first and most noticeable change in the girl at this age is the
increase of height, which begins at the 13th year and ends about the
15th. There are girls who begin earlier and continue to grow for several
years after this age, but it is with the average we deal, and the growth
after the age of 15 is not so perceptible.
Many girls show almost no other signs of womanly development until after
this growth has ceased. The bones at this time are soft enough to yield
to pressure (being cartilaginous), which makes the wearing of a corset
especially dangerous, for the pressure on the ribs interferes with the
development of the lungs and tuberculosis is more easily contracted.
Corsets should not be worn before the 21st year if possible, and then
very loosely, for tight lacing is more harmful at this age than a few
years later. Those who have made careful investigations of the harmful
effects of corsets claim that not only are the chest and walls of the
abdomen injured, but the development of the sexual organs is seriously
hampered, causing many functional diseases, commonly painful and
irregular menstruation, caused by arrested development of the cervix.
The girl who scoffs at the idea of the Chinese women binding up their
feet, is doubtless ignorant of the knowledge that to bind up their own
thoracic and pelvic structures, i. e., the chest and abdominal portions
of her body, in tight corsets is doing greater harm to her health and
injury to her development than the binding of the feet could possibly
do. Ellis brings forth a few words on this subject which shows that the
habit of binding the feet of the Chinese women is based on the same
ideas as the European woman has when she deforms her waist—they are both
done for sexual attractiveness.
A Chinese woman's foot is more interesting than her face—to her husband.
No man of good breeding would look at a Chinese woman's foot in the
street; such an act is most indelicate.
This question of corsets every girl should consider seriously.
As this rapid growth begins, the girl often finds it difficult to hold
herself up straight, her shoulders become stooped, her head and neck are
thrust forward in a most ungainly manner. As she becomes conscious of
this, instead of correcting it, she is likely to slouch and assume the
most awkward habits. Her arms seem longer to her; hands, legs and feet
become new burdens to carry, and the desire to hide the hands behind the
back, to fold the arms, to bend one knee in order to lessen the length
of the body, and to lean on something while talking, are all signs of
this consciousness.
With the invention of modern machinery and the monotony of specialized
work in the mills and factories, it is natural that this should bring
with it, if not entirely new diseases and deformities, at least a
greater number than have heretofore been known. Consider the little
children in the cotton mills, standing for long periods, with the weight
of the body thrown on one foot—a position, which causes curvature of the
spine. Again consider the young girls still in their “teens” bending
over sewing machines from morning until night from year to year; their
premium for this work is right sided lateral curvature. Sitting with one
leg crossed over the other as in sewing, carrying books under the arm to
and from school, lifting and carrying heavy burdens, bundles, or small
children, such as the abused and deformed “little mothers” spend their
play time in doing—all cause curvature of the spine.
Curvature is one of the most common deformities. Any position which
throws the spinal column out of its natural line for any length of time
is likely to produce it.
Regular exercise in the open air will do much to prevent this, together
with walking and dancing. If curvature is already noticeable, then it is
best to get professional instructions and follow them closely.
Next to the rapid bony development, the changes in the heart and
circulation are most noticeable. The heart grows more rapidly during the
adolescent age than the arteries do, which increases the supply of blood
in the arteries and causes general circulatory disturbance of which we
see many outward signs such as blushing, nose bleed, headache, cold feet
and hands, anaemia, loss of appetite, or an appetite so capricious as to
drive one frantic trying to satisfy it, for it jumps from ice cream soda
to dill pickles, according to whim. Some of these symptoms require
special attention, particularly in the case of the girl at school or in
an office, who finds her work a great effort, tires easily, and becomes
pale and nervous. Such a girl should spend as much time as possible in
the open air, and build up on milk and eggs. Sometimes a simple iron
tonic will do much to overcome these disturbances.
Pimples on the face are also very common at this period. Physicians
assert that with cleanliness of the skin and regularity of the bowels,
these symptoms will disappear without the aid of medicines or cosmetics.
The above mentioned symptoms are of great annoyance to the adolescent
girl, who is just developing pride in looking neat and keeping up an
appearance of daintiness, and she goes to unending trouble to rid
herself of facial blemishes, which often seem to grow worse and if
tampered with, leave ugly scars.
The nervous system also undergoes great changes at this age, and the
growing girl is subject to various forms of nervous affections,
stammering, jerking, restlessness, etc. These are symptoms which, if
allowed to continue unattended, may develop into permanent disorders. In
short, the adolescent girl needs constant watchfulness and attention.
GIRLHOOD—PART II.
The organs of sense are also awakened to activity in the adolescent
girl. The sense of smell becomes extremely acute; offensive odors are
=very= offensive, while pleasant ones are greatly enjoyed and desired.
Thus we find perfumes used lavishly in girlhood, and alas! too often
indiscriminately.
With the development of the other senses the sense of color is awakened.
The girl, who, yesterday allowed her elders to choose clothing and
colors for her, at this time becomes most exacting in her own selection
of ribbons and dresses. Sunsets and forests have become beautiful, and
often the girl with artistic talent decides at this age to choose her
life work. Laces, jewelry, trinkets, ribbons and shop windows become her
world. Indeed, so great is her desire to possess ornaments that she has
been known to resort to petty thievery, when unable to avail herself of
the means to obtain them otherwise. Certain authorities, who have made
vice and kindred subjects a study, assert that it is this great desire
for trinkets, silk petticoats, etc., which induces girls to sell their
bodies and enter prostitution. Such authorities fail to see the economic
significance of these unsatisfied desires. There is something wrong with
a system of society which allows its women to sell their bodies for such
trifles, the desire for which is part of their natural development.
Is flesh and blood and the virtue of the mothers of the future so cheap
in this land of plenty that it can be sacrificed for such passing whims?
It is impossible to suppress that inherent and natural desire in the
adolescent girl to adorn and beautify herself. She must and will do it.
The girl of wealth, of the so-called upper class, can beautify herself
and adorn her body with the costliest jewels and fabrics. All eyes are
upon her in admiration of her exquisite taste and attractive appearance.
Yet this same manifestation in a working girl is condemned. Any attempt
on the part of a working girl to give expression to the desire to be
beautiful is considered “dangerous to her welfare”; is spoken of as her
“awful desire for trinkets.”
The women of wealth set certain standards for themselves and their
class, but separate and distinct standards for the women of the working
class. It is about time the reformers and philanthropists do something
other than deal with the symptoms of the great social unrest, and some
of the latest reports of vice investigators have been compelled to face
some of the most fundamental causes, and acknowledged these causes.
A craving for beauty and pleasure, dancing, music, singing and laughter,
an innate hereditary desire to adorn and beautify herself, which comes
down to her from primitive woman, together with a burning desire for and
love of romance, characterize the adolescent girl and often remain with
her far beyond the adolescent age.
When the imagination is thus aroused it is not unusual to learn that the
young girl yields to it, tells strange tales about herself, and is,
therefore, often accused of lying. But this and petty thievery disappear
as reason and will power are developed.
The change of voice in a girl is not so distinct as in a boy, but the
voice gradually becomes softer, fuller and of a more womanly pitch,
though the change is quite unnoticeable while it occurs.
The hearing becomes keener, noises which a few months ago were
considered a joke are now disturbing (such as father's loud sneeze).
Music and singing have charms, which in childhood were unappreciated.
Parents and teachers who do not appreciate the change taking place
within the girl at this period, have small patience with such doings,
calling her “giddy” and “affected” when in reality it is all part of her
development and can be guided and directed into beautiful channels.
Together with her personal adornment comes interest in her surroundings.
New and elaborate decorations furnish her bedroom, and toilet
accessories become objects of pride. Primitive colors are displayed,
largely in curtains, bed coverings, wall paper, etc., all of which
explain the independent ego in the stage of transition.
There are many forms of disturbance which the girl suffers at this
period, such as hysteria and insanity, which, however, we will not dwell
upon here. Enough has been said on the subject to impress upon my
readers the cause of these physical and mental disturbances, and to
realize that special care and consideration should be given at this
particular age of the girl.
The emotional nature also plays a most prominent part in the developing
girl, and justice, I feel, would not be shown her here, unless we cover
briefly this most interesting part of her nature. One of the strongest
emotions which very few girls, passing from childhood into womanhood,
escape, is the religious awakening of one kind or another. It is said by
some investigators that 80 per cent. of the conversions of women in the
churches take place before the age of 20. From 30 to 40 years only a
very small percentage occur—something like 1 or 2 per cent.
It is also shown that more young girls join church than boys. Some girls
seem almost consumed by the desire to do good and be good in every
thought and word and act, and have been known to go through various
forms of self punishment, such as fasting, sacrificing pleasure, etc.
Again, others spend hours in absolute devotion to the neglect of health
and studies. It is very easily seen why the church takes its “flock,”
while still in the adolescent period, for at no subsequent time is the
girl's mind so plastic or impressionable. If the same girl who enters
the convent at 18 years had waited until 22, she would very likely not
have entered, for the mental changes are most intense from 16 to 18
years of age.
Another common emotional awakening of girlhood is the affections. In
boys this awakening causes them to gather together in gangs. They follow
their leader whom they greatly admire and obey. In girls it assumes a
more simple form, the devotion to a girl friend of her own age, and the
affection between them is deep and intense while it lasts. They tell
their most private thoughts in secret to each other, dividing all
honors, pleasures and gifts; they are almost inseparable, and I have
known a girl whose affection was so deep for her “chum” that she wore
mourning when the chum's father died.
Another form of affection which the girl of this age manifests is that
for an older woman, often a teacher or neighbor. Parents sometimes look
askance at this relation, and rightly so, for a friendship can be
beneficial or harmful according to the character of the older woman. But
with all these interests there is nothing so all-absorbing or so
interesting to the adolescent girl as =herself=. She has become
conscious of =self=. Now she burns with ambition to go out into the
world and do mighty things. She feels sure she will be a great singer,
or a dancer, or, perhaps, an actress. Again, she feels she will write a
wonderful book—about herself—or at least she will be the heroine. Or she
will write a wonderful tragic play; or she will nurse on the
battlefields and care for the sick and dying. These, together with
thousands of other desires, burn in her mind, and can be increased or
lessened according to the character of the books she reads. The
literature placed in a girl's hands at this age has as great an
influence on her thoughts and acts as her companions.
In early adolescence this self-consciousness manifests itself in
modesty, blushing, giggling, physical awkwardness, mentioned earlier on
this subject, all signs that the girl is conscious of that inner
self—the ego.
It is at this stage when the mother tries to explain what the menstrual
period means to the girl that she is met with icy indifference. She
refuses to talk on this subject, or anything pertaining to the sex
subject, because she has just become conscious of her sex, and
everything connected with it seems offensively personal.
She most likely has received her sexual information from some one else,
and the mother is astonished at the stubborn silence on the part of her
daughter. She fails to realize that some one else has that confidence
which belongs to her and which she should have gained many years
earlier. There is a strong tie between the adolescent girl and her
sexual informant. The influence of an older girl over a younger, between
whom there are confidences regarding sex, is surprisingly great. The
mind at this age is very susceptible to influences of any kind, and the
ideals instilled into a girl's mind are of paramount importance.
These are only a few of the disturbances of the adolescent girl. But
they are sufficient for us to know that at the bottom of all these
disturbances is the mysterious influence of sex gradually unfolding
itself and finally claiming its own.
At the time these emotions are in full sway along comes a newer and
deeper one. The boy with whom she has played for the past several years,
run races, played house, ball and games, one day looks into her eyes—and
something happens.
Perhaps that look was accompanied by a pull at her hair, a pinch on her
arm, or a hit with an apple core, but the glance was one which awakened
within her a new instinct; the consciousness of sex, and upon her
horizon man appears.
Those who have investigated boy and girl love affairs seem to be of the
opinion that they are invariably of short duration. Out of 100 high
school girls interrogated, two had married while at school, and one of
these had received a divorce shortly after. This goes to prove that the
boy a girl is willing to elope with, or even starve for at 18, is quite
forgotten at the age of 25.
When girls marry between the ages of 19 and 20—the years when they are
developing in body, mind and character, they are at a loss to understand
themselves, because they are ignorant of the fact that the wonderful
instinct of sex is making itself felt. For thousands of years this
instinct has been in the germ of life. When they have reached that age
nature is preparing them to proclaim its right, to perform their natural
functions, to propagate.
As the knowledge of the sex functions is one of the most important to
the health and happiness of the girl, we shall now consider the girl in
the period when nature has developed and prepared her to carry out its
plan, in the Age of Puberty.