SEX HYGIENE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17114, 20 September 1917, Page 3

SEX HYGIENE

SHOULD IT BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS'? A deputation consisting of Mrs Peryman and Misses Andrews and M'Carthy, representing the Women's Christian Tenlperanco Union, waited on the Otago Education Board yesterday to urge the introduction of the teaching of sex hygiene in the public schools of Otago, oh lines similar to those adopted in New South Wales. Mrs Peryman eaidl the W.C.T.TT. and Y.W.C.A. desired the sympathy and cooperation of the board in this movement. There ' would be no necessity for an amended syllabus. They would like the instruction to be given as part of the school work. When the teachers were instructing the pupils concerning the teeth and stomach, they should extend their instruction to the other organs. She qtrite recognised that the introduction of the subject bristled with diifficolties, bat our educational experts had overcome greater She felt sure that the public school was the only place where all the children could be reached. t Miss Andrews said she realised Qiai the home was the proper place to teach eex hygiene, but as it was not done in the home they felt it necessary to urge that the educational institutions should! undertake the dnties. Miss M'Cartny said that ihere wonld be no necessity to set up new machinery to deal with the problem. The instruction could 1 be given in the ordinary course of teaching by tho ordinary staf. Mrs Peryman added that i>ere were 150 of tho large schools' in the United States teaching the subject to-day without the aid of special instructors. Tho Chairman said he took it that wtat tho deputation desired was the support of the board in pressing the question for the attention of the Government. ' Mr J. Horn said a difficulty he foresaw was that teachers -wordd require some special training, and special instructors ■ would bo .necessary. The board decided to Dostpone discussion on the subject until the following day, when a request by the School Comtnitteee , Association to appoint suitable persons to deliver addresses on social questions to school children will also be oonsjde'-ed!.