nl_e17

"The Morality of Sex," 1913
is partly because, to a very great extent, settlement workers belong to
forms of faith alien to those of the neighborhood constituency. It is
increasingly felt, however, that a sufficient basis of understanding has
been reached to permit settlements to enter the field of practical
morals without danger of misconstruction of motive. Instruction,
however, should be carried on, wherever possible, in cooperation with
the religious leaders of the neighborhood; the traditions of the local
church should be kept in mind; its particular shade of moral emphasis
should be enforced; interest should be developed in its traditions and
faith; and every opportunity taken to strengthen those particular moral
idealisms which are native to the people.
The most telling cause of
(4) the home.
immorality is to be found in
comparative disintegration of the
home. In a sense it is encouraging that the large majority of these
moral tragedies can be traced to some serious structural
disorganization of the family. It is true, however, that a surprisingly
small proportion of homes exert positive and constructively
sympathetic support in helping the girl maintain her moral standards. In
certain cases the support is positive without being sympathetic, the
home standing emphatically for virtue and righteousness, though it
does not discerningly safeguard the girl. Even where the moral sense
of the family is real, if it is not sufficiently reinforced by a vital religious
faith, it may prove quite ineffectual as against the facts of city life.
Value of instruction
in sex hygiene.
The helpfulness of instruction in
sex hygiene depends chiefly on the
instructor. At present the average
working girl "knows everything the
wrong way," and only instruction based on scientific knowledge can
correct this. The subject-matter of instruction should not be
predominantly physical, but rather ethical and spiritual; and direct sex
instruction should make up the smallest part of the teaching. The
definite problem is that of building up a sound coherent attitude toward
life and human nature; of lessening the stress and hardship of living,
so that boys and girls can realize the best that is in them; of
demonstrating what it is that makes a true home; of awakening loyalty
to the present and the future self, to the home, and to the
neighborhood. Instruction should be spread out over a considerable
time rather than compressed into one or two talks. There is great
advantage in beginning with young children before the age of sex
http://womhist.binghamton.edu/aoc/doc23.htm (5 of 8) [6/5/2005 8:52:03 PM]