_Conclusion._
One of the most important things which a mother must keep in mind is to
give only such information and in the manner suitable to the child’s
age. Children differ so greatly, that it is impossible to lay down any
rules as to what and how much should be told at any age.
Some children are very curious, and very receptive always, while others
have little curiosity and even when told sex truths, pay little
attention to the telling, or seem little impressed by it.
It is for each mother to do as she finds advisable. Children will often
ask a question very seriously and before one can formulate an answer,
another question has been asked on another entirely different subject.
But the fact that he has asked the question shows that the mind has
awakened to this curiosity, and he will no doubt ask it again.
_Mothers, be prepared!_ Do not force any thing; it will all come in time
if you keep close to the child in confidence. Just be prepared. When
children are very young get them accustomed to the naked body. Let them
run about naked at night, perhaps while undressing for bed. Let them
bathe together or with you. If this is done very early at any early age
you will soon find that his thoughts are clean regarding the naked body.
You can then tell him the names of the different parts, for he will most
likely ask, and his curiosity will often entirely cease. This is the
type of boy who looks back upon life and feels he has “always known” the
clean and beautiful of life.
This is the opportunity to tell how to care for the body. The teeth and
nose should be cleansed morning and night. When there is any itching of
the rectum or sexual organs this is often caused by uncleanliness and
washing of these parts at once will often relieve the irritation.
Teach that no part of the body should be touched unnecessarily by any
one, and when there is any discomfort of any kind to come to the mother,
who will attend to it. See that no clothing on the child is tight or
causes irritation, for this often leads a child to touch and handle
himself and forms the habit of masturbation.
This is often acquired innocently, even at the creeping age, and the
child becomes a victim and slave to the habit.
Keep a close watch over children for this habit, without making them
conscious of it, especially if the child prefers to be alone or remains
long in bed in the morning. These are by no means positive symptoms of
the habit, only when these signs are present keep your eyes open.
If you do find this habit is formed, keep him up at night until he is
sleepy, or at least do not send him off to bed alone when he is not
sleepy, to lie and toss about with this temptation. Let someone read to
him or tell him interesting stories which will divert his mind so he can
fall asleep.
The same in the morning; do not allow children to remain in bed after
they have awakened; do not have the bed too soft or the coverings too
heavy; the room should be cool and he should lie on his side rather than
on the back. Keep his mind busy with interest. Get him to call you
whenever he feels the temptation, or to come where others are. If he
will trust the mother and together fight this habit, he will soon be the
victor. Always it is the same—confidence, confidence, is such a
necessary part of the child’s life.
When a child is under four years of age is the ideal time to gain this
confidence, for then there is nothing personal in anything you say; all
interests are general. There is no shyness or consciousness of sex. If
this has been done, when they take up the study of the birds more could
be told them of the sexual parts; that as some day he was to be a father
he was made differently than mother or sister because he had a different
part to do in life’s work. That he must keep well and grow strong in
order to do this work. There need be no mystery about the sexual truths;
impress upon it the sacredness of the process. There is no greater crime
against a child than for a parent to allow a child to flounder about
with half truths, gathered from polluted and corrupt associates.
Be deliberate in giving the child the truth, as much of it as he can
take at a time, or as little _but have it the truth_.
You will be confronted with questions concerning the vilest words of the
street. Tell him frankly their meaning in your own clean way, and the
correct word to use in its place. You will find when his curiosity has
been satisfied he will no longer be curious or have any special desire
to use these words.
Every child first turns to its mother in confidence for all these
questions. Never turn him off with a slight or embarrassed answer; just
rely upon your knowledge, your natural knowledge, and answer him. Every
mother can do it. Do not make a Sunday School lesson of these teachings,
only to be taught once a week on very solemn occasions. Children hate
being talked at; just be natural, simple, interesting, informal, and as
often as the opportunity arrives.
This confidence and early understanding will bind you together far
beyond that most difficult period, puberty, and enable you to strengthen
the child’s ideals of manhood and womanhood.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT EVERY GIRL SHOULD KNOW
by
Margaret H. Sanger
CONTENTS
=Introduction=
=Girlhood=—
Physical Growth
Mental Development
=Puberty=—
Generative Organs, Uterus, Ovaries, etc.
Menstruation and its Disorders
=Sexual Impulse=—
Masturbation
Sexual Impulse in Animals—in Men. Its
significance in Love
=Reproduction=—
Growth of the Life Cell in the Uterus
Hygiene of Pregnancy—Miscarriage
=Some of the Consequences of Ignorance and Silence=—
Continence in Young Men
Gonorrhoea
Syphilis
50 cents cloth bound
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THE WOMAN REBEL
NO GODS NO MASTERS
THE FIRST UNVEILED FEMALE HEAD RAISED IN AMERICA
An uncompromising, unapologetic, clear cut, revolutionary paper, dealing
with sex education, and advocating a militant attitude toward all things
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that all women ought to know: the knowledge of means to prevent
conception.
Published monthly. =Subscription $1 a Year.=
=Address: MARGARET H. SANGER=
=34 Post Avenue= =New York City=
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
1. CONTENTS added by transcriber.
2. Removed “Part I.” header on p. 29 as there is no Part II.
3. Silently corrected typographical errors.
4. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
5. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.
6. Enclosed bold font in =equals=.