SOCIAL AND MORAL HYGIENE

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 4, 1 August 1954, Page 4

SOCIAL AND MORAL HYGIENE

Since the beginning of time man has signed and since the beginnig of time man has been punished for*sin. “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” “The wages of sin is death.” “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” All primitive urges supply the energy for man’s activities; in order that they may find effective and satisfying outlets, certain basic wants must be met. These include stability of family life, education in its widest sense, scope and training for suitable work, encouragement in the right use of leisure, opportunity for independence of thought and creative activities, and development of that spiritual outlook which alone can secure an active, happy and ordered society. For the achievement of this ideal, The British Women’s Federation presents the following as essentials:— (1) The recognition of the vital importance of home and family life with opportunities for early marriage, and the provision of good living conditions within the reach of all. (2) Training from an early age in the development of personal moral responsibility and social obligation. (3) Religious training, both at home and at school. (4) Physical training, together with instruction in the functions, hygiene and control of the body.

(5) Training in the understanding and expression of the emotions.

(6) Extension of education into adult life. This should include teaching of parentcraft to both sexes, and opportunity for manual and creative work.

(7) The encouragement of a high standard of literature and public entertainment, and the appreciation of beauty in Nature and Art.

(8) The provision of suitable opportunities for social contacts and recreation.

(9) Adequate provision for the disabled and for those who are inherently irresponsible. Tjie Federation is fully aware that there is nothing new or revolutionary about such recommendations, but considers that they should be given due weight in the formulation of proposals for the prevention and control of venereal disease and other social disorders.

Among the signs of social disorders are found: (1) A lowering of the standards of honesty and consideration for others.

(2) An increase in delinquency including juvenile delinquency. (3) A more widespread and growing habit of indulgcncy in alcohol among young people. (4) The loosening of family ties. (5) The tolerance of a low standard of certain types of reading matter and public entertainment. All over the world we find this loosening of morals, and all over the world we find woman’s organisations rising up to the responsibility and trying to do something before it is too late. It is want of security and the loss of home background thai has added to the confusion. Two world wars and the influx of the armed forces to our country have made things worse. The immediate satisfaction of an impulse is often accepted as justifying any action. This is seen in the increase of petty misdemeanours, and still more, in irresponsible sex relationships.

The growing habit of drinking among young people is far more serious than many realise. They drink at cocktail parties (not realising how far on the downward scale the first glass may lead them), in a warm atmosphere, and go out into a cold or cool one, where the paralyzing effect of the alcohol on the higher centres of the brain cells causes road accidents.

With motor vehicles, aeroplanes, machinery in factories, everything is speed! Speed! Speed. A clear head and a quick eye ready for a snap decision, if anything goes wrong, is needed and the wisest thing is to leave alcohol strictly alone. A healthy body and a healthy mind mostly go together. We should keep our bodies fit and well, to enable us to enjoy the beauty of nature that God has provided for us. Particularly with young people, hiking, sight seeing and travel with school teachers and others interested in the young people, enlarges the mind, and is an education that will tide them over a period when during adolescence, they are growing and reaching out for they know not \Wiat and finding an outlet satisfied. —R. M. Mountjoy, Auckland, (Dominion Supt.)