Chapter VIII.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 accustomedto 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 thishabit, 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 littlebut 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 beingtalked 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

byMargaret H. SangerCONTENTS

Margaret H. Sanger

CONTENTS

IntroductionGirlhood—Physical GrowthMental DevelopmentPuberty—Generative Organs, Uterus, Ovaries, etc.Menstruation and its DisordersSexual Impulse—MasturbationSexual Impulse in Animals—in Men. Itssignificance in LoveReproduction—Growth of the Life Cell in the UterusHygiene of Pregnancy—MiscarriageSome of the Consequences of Ignorance and Silence—Continence in Young MenGonorrhoeaSyphilis

Introduction

Girlhood—Physical GrowthMental Development

Girlhood—

Physical Growth

Mental Development

Puberty—Generative Organs, Uterus, Ovaries, etc.Menstruation and its Disorders

Puberty—

Generative Organs, Uterus, Ovaries, etc.

Menstruation and its Disorders

Sexual Impulse—MasturbationSexual Impulse in Animals—in Men. Itssignificance in Love

Sexual Impulse—

Masturbation

Sexual Impulse in Animals—in Men. Its

significance in Love

Reproduction—Growth of the Life Cell in the UterusHygiene of Pregnancy—Miscarriage

Reproduction—

Growth of the Life Cell in the Uterus

Hygiene of Pregnancy—Miscarriage

Some of the Consequences of Ignorance and Silence—Continence in Young MenGonorrhoeaSyphilis

Some of the Consequences of Ignorance and Silence—

Continence in Young Men

Gonorrhoea

Syphilis

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THE WOMAN REBEL

NO GODS NO MASTERSTHE FIRST UNVEILED FEMALE HEAD RAISED IN AMERICA

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Published monthly.Subscription $1 a Year.Address: MARGARET H. SANGER34 Post AvenueNew York City

Published monthly.Subscription $1 a Year.

Address: MARGARET H. SANGER

34 Post AvenueNew York City

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTESCONTENTSadded by transcriber.Removed “Part I.” header on p.29as there is no Part II.Silently corrected typographical errors.Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

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