Part 16

"The Association, re-affirming its belief in the constructive value of education in sex-hygiene, directs attention to the grave dangers, ethical and social, arising out of a sex consciousness stimulated by undue emphasis upon sex problems and relations. The situation is so serious as to render neglect hazardous. The Association urges upon all parents the obvious duty of parental care and instruction in such matters and directs attention to the mistake of leaving such problems exclusively to the school. The Association believes that sex-hygiene should be approached in the public schools conservatively under the direction of persons qualified by scientific training and teaching experience in order to assure a safe moral point of view. The Association, therefore, recommends that institutions preparing teachers give attention to such subjects as would qualify for instruction in the general field of morals as well as in the particular field of sex-hygiene."

§ 52. _The Future of the Larger Sex-education_

[Sidenote: Public has lost interest in sensationalism.]

I hear many questions as to the probable future of sex-education. I am asked: "Is it moribund?" "Is it a disappearing fad?" "Has not the high tide of interest passed?" No doubt such questions are inspired by the oft-repeated statement that public interest in sexual questions has waned decidedly in the last few years. This is true, and it is a most fortunate indication of approaching sanity. The public interest in the last decade has been most deplorable, because it has centered in the abnormal and sensational aspects of sex. Authors have vied with each other in presenting the most lurid cases of social diseases, white slavery, sexual perversions, and every other available aspect of sexual degeneracy. Of course, the reading public was bound to grow tired of this, just as it wearies of a horrible murder trial or of a sensational divorce case. It is certainly true that there is a marked decline of general interest in sexual abnormality and sensationalism; but that does not mean that the sex-education movement is moribund.

[Sidenote: Sex-education permanent.]

The wave of sensational revelation has passed; but the intelligent public is no longer ignorant of the nature and causes of the great problems of sex, and is well aware that young people need definite guidance for facing the facts of life. It is unthinkable that intelligent parents who are now well informed concerning sex will ever again stand for the old policy of mystery and silence. It is, therefore, impossible to believe that there is any danger of sex-education disappearing. Of course, we have not reached a permanent system of sex-education. There certainly will be vast changes in our approved subject matter and methods of teaching; but the main idea of the sex-education movement is gaining support every day.

[Sidenote: Sex-education fundamental.]

There is another reason why sex-education will be permanent. In addition to the great need of educational help with information and influence which will mold the individual life with regard to the problems of sex, it must be evident to all that even the legislative, sanitary, social administrative, religious, ethical, and other attacks upon the problems depend upon knowledge and attitude, at least of the leaders. Look at the problems of sex outlined in the earlier lectures from whatever angle we will, and it appears that, in the final analysis, education offers the only key to a possible solution. Therefore, I assert that sex-education--the larger sex-education--is an absolutely fundamental factor in every phase of the social-hygiene and sex-ethical movement.

[Sidenote: Ultimate effect of sex-education.]

In closing the last lecture of this series, let me state my confession of faith in sex-education: It is certainly only _one of several_ possible lines of attack on the alarming sex problems of our time; but it offers the most hopeful outlook towards improved sexual morals and health, both physical and psychical. However, we shall gain nothing of permanent value by extravagant claims or hopes as to the ultimate effect of sex-education. We must expect incomplete results. It will not entirely solve the sex problems for all individuals who receive instruction; but it will solve all of the problems of many individuals and help many others. It will not eradicate the social evil and its characteristic diseases, but it will protect many young people and so reduce the sum total of awful consequences. It will not prevent all divorces and matrimonial disharmonies, but already the biological teaching is helping and some day the social-ethical problems will be understood and then most intelligent men and women will understand the fundamental principles for permanent and harmonious monogamic marriage. Finally, sex-education will not enforce universal sexual morality in conformity with our accepted code, but it will help many individuals through decisive battles with sex-instincts.

[Sidenote: Sex-Education and general education.]

Such are some of the lines along which extreme claims and hopes for sex-education have been and are still being made. There is some truth in each; in fact, there is more than enough to justify the present movement for sex-education. To all those who see nothing in the movement because it will not solve all the sex problems which have created a demand for special instruction, we may reply by simply pointing to the fact that general education makes some better and more efficient citizens, but many times it fails to give desirable results. We believe in general education because it aims to offer all individuals help in preparation for more efficient life, although it succeeds only in part. Likewise, we should stand for the instruction of all young people in matters concerning sex because it is certain that such knowledge will function completely in many lives and will work appreciable good in many others.

[Sidenote: A permanent and essential part of education.]

I cannot believe that sex-education is one of the long line of modern educational fads which quickly pass their day, for no other phase of education so closely touches life. History and geography and even a large part of the "three Rs" may be of little use in the lives of numerous people, but sex-education deals with problems which the normal human life cannot possibly avoid and which each individual must be prepared to solve for himself. Therefore, we may confidently assert that instruction concerning the most important aspects of sex processes and relationships will soon be recognized as an absolutely necessary part of a rational and efficient scheme for the education of young people.

[Sidenote: The never-ending problem of good and evil.]

The larger sex-education is sure to have a permanent place in the never-ending work of preparing coming generations for the highest development of life's possibilities. Each succeeding generation of young people must be prepared by educational processes to face intelligently and bravely the problems of sex that are sure to come into every normal life. Of course, sex-education at its best development can do no more than give the individual a basis for intelligent choice between good and evil; but here, as in all other upward movements of human life, the decision must depend upon a clear and positive recognition of the advantages of the good as contrasted with the evil. Hence, the one essential task of sex-education in its broadest outlook is to guide natural human beings to recognition and choice of the best in the sexual sphere of life. And in so far as each coming generation of individuals may be thus guided by the larger sex-education, the problems of sex will be pragmatically solved, for the social aggregate of human life will become better, happier, nobler, truer, more in harmony with the highest ideals of life, more like our vision of perfected humanity.

FOOTNOTES:

[19] The name was changed in 1913 to _Journal of the Society of Sanitary and Moral Prophylaxis_.

[20] While this book was in press, the name was changed to New York Social Hygiene Society.

XII

SOME BOOKS FOR SEX-EDUCATION

I have decided to publish only the names of selected books which seem to me to be the best for teachers, parents, and young people. In making the selection, I have considered several hundred books which bear on the sex problems in an educational way, and have decided to reject the majority of them. While there might be some value in a long list with critical notes on books that I cannot recommend, it would be a worse than thankless task to compile such an annotated bibliography; for the compiler would surely add to his collection of enemies many authors whose books deserve severe criticism. The sudden and sensational publicity concerning matters of sex and the possibility of commercial exploitation has produced an avalanche of sex books, some good, many bad, and the majority ordinary. Evidently, most of the authors, including numerous physicians, have written to order and without special preparation.

The books of the following lists are not all deserving of unqualified recommendation. In fact, some of them are included because they are the least objectionable of their much-needed kind, and others because they have some good grains that the reader will find worth picking from a mass of non-nutritious but, fortunately, non-poisonous chaff.

I have not included many books which I recognize as important for readers thoroughly trained in science, but which are dangerous for the average reader of literature on sex.

It is possible that I may have overlooked some very good books that I have not intended to ignore; and I shall be glad to have my attention called to books which deserve recognition.

Special bibliographies have been published in Wile's "Sex-Education," March's "Towards Racial Health," Geddes and Thomson's "Sex," and Foster's "Social Emergency."

Publishers.--In most cases the first part of the names of well-known publishers has been given. Unless otherwise mentioned, they have offices in New York City. In addition, the following abbreviations have been used:

A.M.A. = American Medical Association, Chicago.

A.S.H.A. = American Social Hygiene Association, 105 West 40th St., New York City.

S.S.M.P. = Society of Sanitary and Moral Prophylaxis, 105 West 40th Street, New York City.

Association Press = press of the National Board of the Y.M.C.A., New York City.

FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS

ADDAMS, JANE. "A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil." Macmillan. $1.00. (Contains all the average reader needs to know concerning prostitution.)

BOK, EDWARD, Editor. "Books of Self-Knowledge for Young People and Parents." Revell. $.25 each.

BIGELOW, M.A. "Relation of Biology to Sex-Instruction in Schools and Colleges." Journal of Social Diseases, II, 4, October, 1911.

CABOT, RICHARD C. "The Christian Approach to Social Morality." National Y.W.C.A., New York. $.50.

CABOT, RICHARD C. "What Men Live By." Houghton Mifflin. $1.50. (A book that has helped many people.)

CABOT, R.C. "Consecration of the Affections." Proceedings of Fifth Cong. Amer. School Hygiene Assoc., III, 1911, p. 114. Also in Amer. Phy. Ed. Rev., XVI, 1911, pp. 247-253. (See "Criticisms of Sex-Education" in § 46 of this book.)

COCKS, ORRIN G. "The Social Evil and Methods of Treatment." Association Press. $.25.

CREIGHTON, LOUISE. "The Social Disease and How to Fight It." Longmans. $.35. (A splendid essay on social impurity from a modern woman's viewpoint. Constructive and optimistic.)

ELIOT, C.W. "Public Opinion and Sex-Hygiene." A.S.H.A. $.05.

ELIOT, C.W. "School Instruction in Sex Hygiene." Proceedings of Fifth Cong. Amer. School Hygiene Assoc., 1911.

ELLIS, HAVELOCK. "The Task of Social Hygiene." Houghton. $2.50. (Certain chapters concern sex-education.)

GALLOWAY, T.W. "Biology of Sex." Heath. $.75.

GEDDES, PATRICK, and THOMSON, J. ARTHUR. "Sex." Holt. $.50. (Excellent.)

GEDDES and THOMSON. "The Problems of Sex." Moffat. $.50.

FOSTER, W.T. "The Social Emergency." Houghton. $1.35. (Twelve excellent essays by President Foster, Reed College, and nine others, on social hygiene and education.)

HALL, G. STANLEY. "Adolescence." Appleton. 2 vols. $7.50.

HALL, G.S. "Youth: Its Education, Regimen and Hygiene." Appleton. $1.50.

HALL, G.S. "Needs and Methods of Educating Young People in Hygiene of Sex." Pedagogical Seminary, XV, March, 1908.

HALL, G.S. "Teaching of Sex in Schools and Colleges." Journal of Social Diseases, II, 4, October, 1911.

HALL, WINFIELD S. "Sex Training in the Home." Richardson, Chicago. $1.10.

HENDERSON, CHAS. R. "Education with Reference to Sex." University of Chicago Press. Part I, 78 cts.; II, 80 cts. (Part I demonstrates need of sex-education; II, the educational problems.)

HERTER, C.A. "Biological Aspects of Human Problems." Macmillan. $1.50. (Sexual instincts, pp. 182-252; sex-education, 306-316.)

HIME, MAURICE C. "Schoolboys' Special Immorality." Churchill, London. $.40. (For masters of boarding schools.)

HODGE, C.F. "Social Hygiene in Public Schools." School Science and Mathematics, April, 1911.

HOWARD, W.L. "Start Your Child Right." Revell. $.75. (Readable, sensible, helpful to parents.)

LOWRY, EDITH B. "False Modesty: That Protects Vice by Ignorance." Forbes. $.50. (Arguments for sex-instruction in home and school.)

LOWRY, E.B. "Teaching Sex-Hygiene in the Public Schools." Forbes. $.50. (Useful for parents and teachers.)

LYTTLETON, E. "Training the Young in the Laws of Sex." Longmans, Green. $1.00. (Heartily approved by many educators.)

MARCH, NORAH H. "Towards Racial Health." Routledge, London. $1.00. (Very helpful book for parents and teachers.)

MORLEY, MARGARET W. "Renewal of Life." McClurg. $1.10. (Nature-study basis for teaching children.)

MORROW, BALLIET, and BIGELOW. "Report of Special Committee on Matters and Methods of Sex-Education." A.S.H.A. $.05.

MORROW, PRINCE A. "Teaching of Sex-Hygiene." A.S.H.A. $.03. (A splendid address.)

MORROW, P.A. "The Boy Problem." S.S.M.P. $.05. (Helpful to parents.)

MORROW, P.A. "The Sex Problem." S.S.M.P. $.03. (A fair statement of the double morality problem.)

PARKINSON, WILLIAM D. "Sex and Education." Educational Review, January, 1911. (Stands for ethical and æsthetic teaching primarily.)

SCHARLIEB and SIBLY. "Youth and Sex." Dodge. $.25.

SELIGMAN, E.R.A. "The Social Evil." Putnam. $1.50. (A good survey of the evil, based on the work of the Committee of Fourteen in New York.)

WILE, IRA S. "Sex Education." Duffield. $1.00. (A very useful book for parents.)

WOOD-ALLEN, MARY. "Teaching Truth." Crist Co. $.50. (Suggestions for mothers' talks to young children.)

"Social Hygiene." A quarterly journal of the A.S.H.A. $2.00 per year, free to members.

FOR GIRLS

ADDAMS, JANE. "Spirit of Youth and the City Streets." Macmillan. $1.25.

CHAPMAN, ROSE WOODALLEN. "How Shall I Tell My Child?" Revell. $.25.

DODGE, GRACE H. "A Bundle of Letters to Busy Girls." Funk. $.50.

HALL, JEANNETTE W. "Life's Story." Steadwell, La Crosse, Wis. $.25. (Biological facts for girls of 10 to 16.)

HALL, W.S. "Life Problems: A Story for Girls." A.M.A. $.10. (A good pamphlet for girls of 12 to 18 years.)

HALL, W.S. "The Doctor's Daughter: Studies about Life." A.M.A. $.10. (On nature-study basis, for girls under 12 years.)

HOOD, MARY G. "For Girls and the Mothers of Girls." Bobbs-Merrill. $1.00.

HOWARD, W.L. "Confidential Chats with Girls." Clode. $1.00.

SMITH, NELLIE M. "The Three Gifts of Life." Dodd, Mead. $.50. (A girl's responsibility. For girls 15 to 18, who have no more than grammar-school education. In general, sentimental and unscientific; but Chapter IV, "Gift of Choice," is excellent.)

TORELLE, ELLEN. "Plant and Animal Children: How they Grow." Heath. $1.00. (Useful as a nature-study reader concerning reproduction of animals and plants.)

WOOD-ALLEN, MARY. "Almost a Woman." Crist Co. $.50. (A story for girls of 12 years.)

WOOD-ALLEN, MARY. "What a Young Girl Should Know." Vir Co., Philadelphia. $1.00. (For girls under 12 or 14.)

FOR BOYS

HALL, W.S. "John's Vacation." A.M.A. $.10. (On nature-study basis, for pre-adolescent boys.)

HALL, W.S. "Chums." A.M.A. $.10. (For adolescent boys.)

HALL, W.S. "Developing into Manhood." Association Press. $.25. (Biological basis, for boys of 15 to 18 years.)

HALL, W.S. "Life's Beginnings." Association Press. $.25.

HALL, W.S. "Youth." Association Press. $.25. (For boys 10 to 12.)

HOWARD, W.L. "Confidential Chats with Boys." Clode. $1.00.

JENKS, J.W. "Life Questions of School Boys." Association Press. $.25.

JEWETT. "The Next Generation." Ginn. $.75. (Elementary eugenics.)

TORELLE, ELLEN. "Plant and Animal Children." (See under books for girls.)

TREWBY, ARTHUR. "Healthy Boyhood." Longmans. $.40.

WOOD-ALLEN, MARY. "Almost a Man." Crist Co. $.50. (Similar to "Almost a Woman." For pre-adolescent boys.)

FOR WOMEN

DRAKE, E.F.A. "What a Young Wife Ought to Know." Vir Co., Philadelphia. $1.00.

GALBRAITH, ANNA. "Four Epochs of a Woman's Life." Saunders, Philadelphia. $1.50. (Medical in style. Certain sections relating to heredity are not satisfactory.)

HALL, W.S. "Sexual Knowledge." Intern. Bible House, Philadelphia. $1.00.

KEY, ELLEN. "Morality of Woman and other Essays." Seymour, Chicago. $1.00. (Ideal morality as a basis for marriage. Good introduction to author's "Love and Marriage.")

LOWRY, E.B. "Herself." Forbes. $1.10. (In general, accurate. Medical style.)

MARTIN, H.N. "Human Body--Advanced Course." Holt. $2.50. (Last chapter, on reproduction, excellent.)

RUMMEL, LUELLA Z. "Womanhood and Its Development." Burton Co., Kansas City. $1.50. (One of the best books for mature women. Poorly printed.)

SCHREINER, OLIVE. "Woman and Labor." Stokes. $1.25. (Important for the feminist movement.)

WEST, MRS. MAX. "Prenatal Care." Bulletin of Children's Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Labor. (A very practical pamphlet.)

WOOD-ALLEN, MARY. "What a Young Woman Should Know." Vir Co., Philadelphia. $1.00. (The best-known book, preferred by the majority of mothers.)

FOR MEN

EXNER, M.J. "Problems and Principles of Sex-Education." Association Press. $.10. (Study of college men, and an essay on principles.)

EXNER, M.J. "The Physician's Answer." Association Press. $.15. (Summary of opinions of numerous physicians concerning the problems of young men.)

EXNER, M.J. "The Rational Sex Life for Men." Association Press. $.15. (Good, and helpful to many young men.)

HALL, W.S. "From Youth into Manhood." Association Press. $.50. (Highly approved and widely used.)

HALL, W.S. "Instead of Wild Oats." Revell. $.25. (Bok Series, Biological and Sociological basis.)

HALL, W.S. "Reproduction and Sexual Hygiene." Wynnewood, Chicago. $.90. (Very useful book, but criticized by many who disagree with the hygienic part.)

HALL, W.S. "Sexual Knowledge." Intern. Bible House. Philadelphia. $1.00. (Useful for both men and women. Includes the best of the above book.)

HOWARD, WILLIAM LEE. "Plain Facts on Sex Hygiene." Clode. $1.00. (Sensational and exaggerated statements concerning social diseases; language unnecessarily offensive in places; but discussion of "continence" is good.)

HOWELL and KEYES. "The Sexual Necessity." S.S.M.P. $.03.

LOWRY, E.B., and LAMBERT, R.J. "Himself: Talks with Men concerning Themselves." Forbes. $1.00. (Accurate in facts; not well arranged; not "the best book," as the publishers claim.)

LYDSTON, G. FRANK. "Sex Hygiene for the Male." Riverton, Chicago. $2.25. (Readable, fairly reliable, but not worth the price.)

MARTIN, H.N. "Human Body--Advanced Course." Holt. $2.50. (Last chapter, especially in 1910 edition.)

MOORE, H.H. "Keeping in Condition." Macmillan. $1.00. (A physical training book.)

MORROW, PRINCE A. "Health and Hygiene of Sex." S.S.M.P. $.05. (The best-known pamphlet for college men.)

SPEER, ROBERT E. "A Young Man's Questions." Revell. $.80.

SPERRY, LYMAN B. "Confidential Talks with Young Men." Revell. $.75.

STALL, SYLVANUS. "What a Young Husband Ought to Know." Vir Co., Philadelphia. $1.00. (This and the next are useful to men who prefer a religious approach to sexual information.)

STALL, SYLVANUS. "What a Young Man Ought to Know." Vir Co., Philadelphia. $1.00.

WILSON, ROBERT N. "American Boy and the Social Evil." Winston. $1.00.

FOR THE MARRIED

COCKS, ORRIN G. "Engagement and Marriage." Association Press. $.25. (Talks to young men, but young women should be interested.)

COWAN, JOHN. "Science of a New Life." 1869. $3.00. (Obsolete, unreliable, unscientific; but widely sold by magazine advertising.)

DAVIDSON, HUGH S. "Marriage and Motherhood." Dodge. $.25.

DAVIS, E.P. "Mother and Child." Lippincott. $1.50.

FOERSTER, F.W. "Marriage and the Sex Problem." Stokes. $1.35. (An important book.)

HOLT, L.E. "Care and Feeding of Children." Appleton. $.75. (The well-known nursery guide by the famous pediatrician.)

HOWARD, W.L. "Facts for the Married." Clode. $1.00. (Good, from a physician's standpoint.)

JORDAN, W.J. "Little Problems of Married Life." Revell. $1.00. (Essays which touch many problems of home life.)

KEY, ELLEN. "Love and Marriage." Putnam. $1.50. (The greatest work of this famous Swedish author.)

SALEEBY, C.W. "Parenthood and Race Culture." Moffat, Yard. $2.50. (Popular eugenics.)

SPERRY, LYMAN B. "Confidential Talks with Husband and Wife." Revell. $1.00.

WOOD-ALLEN, MARY. "Ideal Married Life." Revell. $1.25. (Best book by this well-known physician and author.)

HEREDITY AND EUGENICS

CASTLE, W.E. "Heredity in Relation to Evolution and Animal Breeding." Appleton. $1.50.

CONKLIN, F.G. "Heredity and Environment in the Development of Men." Princeton University Press. $2.00.

DAVENPORT, C.B. "Heredity in Relation to Eugenics." Holt. $2.00.

DAWSON, G.E. "Right of the Child to be Well Born." Funk. $.75.

DONCASTER, L. "Heredity in the Light of Recent Research." Putnam. $.40.

GEDDES, P., and THOMSON, J.A. "Evolution." Holt. $.50.

GUYER, M.F. "Being Well Born." Bobbs-Merrill. $1.00.

KELLICOTT, W.E. "The Social Direction of Human Evolution." Appleton. $1.50.

PUNNETT, R.C. "Mendelism." Macmillan. $.50.

SALEEBY, C.W. "Parenthood and Race Culture." Moffat, Yard. $2.50.

THOMSON, J.A. "Heredity." Putnam. $3.50.

WALTER, H.E. "Genetics." Macmillan. $1.50.

INDEX

Abnormality, in literature, 129 ff.

Adolescence, and sex-instruction, 146 ff.

Adults, and special sex-instruction, 26.

Æsthetics of sex, 4, 74, 197.

Affection, 163; "consecration of," 210; in marriage, 189.

Aims, of sex-education, 92, 94; of sex-education societies, 228.

Animals, and human sexuality, 72.

Arguments, for sex-instruction, 28 ff.

Asceticism, 69.

Athletics, and sex, 141.

Attitude, towards sex, 26, 67 ff.; and morals, 75.

Bibliography, 238 ff.

Biology, 56, 65; and ethics, 102 ff.; and sex-instruction, 147; moral value, 217.

Books, as teachers, 121 ff., 241 ff.; _see also_ literature.

Boys, influence on, 158; special instruction, 148-250.

Cabot, R.C., 63, 210 ff.

Childhood, 25.

Children, ignorant of sex, 204.

Circumcision, 139.

Coeducation, in sex-instruction, 109; and sex adjustment, 80.

Continence, 160 ff., 176 ff.; of women, 190 ff.

Contraception, and ethics, 219.

Control, of sex instincts, 18.