TRAINING THE YOUNG.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16268, 19 July 1918, Page 2

TRAINING THE YOUNG.

LECTURE BY CAPTAIN PJSiTIT.

.An interesting lecture under tho auspices of the Social Hygiene Sooiety was given at the Caledonian Hall last evening by Captain T. H. Pettit, N.Z.M.C., on the "Training of tne Xoung in tno Laws of Sox." There was a very large attendance, ( OTor which tne jiayor, .Mr Jtl. iiolland, presiued. luo chairman, in brieny introducing wapturn .I'ettit, reinarKeu tnat no nau been amazou to near trom tbo .Minister 01 JJetence. tnat tSU per cent, ol JNow Zealand's men had oeen rejected lor pnysical detects. Anyone wno could rectify sucn a state of things in any way would' be conferring a boon on tne I country. Captain Pettit, after emphasising tho importance of the question on which ho was to speak, said that the education of the young in sex matters was a matter of the utmost necessity, tho neglect of which was tantamount to eriminal negligence. He emphatically denounced ttie idea of secrecy and silonce on sucli matters. Every normal child, ho said, was a bundle of curiosity, but proper instruction, rightly given, would not arouse any dangerous curiosity. All scientific knowledge was dangerous if misapplied or misused, but for all that wo did not say that ill knowledge and education was harmful. Knowledge side by side with correct instruction was what was needed. Rightly treated, th© sex subject would put no wrong ideas into the heads of tho young, for, rightly imparted, there was nothing but the reverse 'of evil in it. dean instruction in such matters oould not possibly result in wrong. Mo'one could possibly say that tho, cause of any boy or jjirl going wrong was sano and proper education in sex matters. In fact, nothing could bo a more potent deterrent of Buch evils than such education. As a matter of fact, such instruction could not be begun too early, if it were carried out properly. Few people who had becomo victims- to sexual evils had ever been heard to say, "I was told too young." Told properly a child would see that there was nothing more beautiful in nature than tho law of birth, bo it. m tho flowers, the animals, or human beings. Surely it was much better for the young to rcoeivo wholesome ' tuition than to let them obtain their knowledge in a demoralising and impure way, as they would undoubtedly do if they wero left to find • out such _ for themselves, perhaps in a most vicious school. Wo could not attain the objects wo had in view unless we gave the child proper instruction, and warned it if grave dangers. Further, such instruction created a strong bond of sympathy and trust between* parent and child. There should be no reserve in discussing such matters with tho child, so far as the latter's mind was developed to receive such instruction. Continuing, Ur. Pettit pointed out what wore m© best principles to auopt in giving tnis instruction to the ennu. 'i'ne iirst was, be trutmul to mo chua in its search after knowledge; the next was bo frank in one's answers; tne third was, bo natural in one's attitude; another principlo was bo sympathetic; and the final one was, be reverent. Nothing was more harmful than an irreverent or a flippant treatment of the sex subject. it was of supremo importance that in the education of the child, reverence should be a feature, and that it should be brought hom© to the child that all those wonderful works were works of God in his creativo plan. The speaker went on to speak of tho great work of the Plunket feociety had dono in emphasising the necessity for the strictest hygienic methods from birth onwards, and proceeded to emphasise the value of discipline for children, particularly in the way of restricting their appetites. Further, Dr. .Pettit spoke of the, value of giving reasons to the child when imposing restrictions upon it, and also the need for strict parental supervision over the various pastimes ; i books, pleasures, etc., of the child during its growing years. Incidentally he spoke 'of the value of cheery home life. A hearty vote of thanks was carried to the lecturer at ( the close of his address. .'