322 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



seldom perform, even when they are not unaware of 

 the danger. They in some way convince themselves 

 that their children, at least, are pure, even if others 

 are corrupt. It is often the most difficult thing in the 

 world for parents to comprehend the fact that their 

 children are not the best children in the world, perfect 

 paragons of purity and innocence. There is an un- 

 accountable and unreasonable delicacy on the part of 

 parents about speaking of sexual subjects to their chil- 

 dren. In consequence, their young, inquisitive minds 

 are left wholly in ignorance, unless, perchance, they 

 gain information from some vile source. 



Objections are raised against talking to children or 

 young persons about matters in any degree pertaining 

 to the sexual organs or functions. Some of the more 

 important of them are considered in the introduction 

 to this work, and we need not repeat here. 



Early Instruction.— The little one should be taught 

 from earliest infancy to abstain from handling the gen- 

 itals, being made to regard it as a very improper act. 

 When the child becomes old enough to understand and 

 reason, he may be further informed of the evil conse- 

 quences; then, as he advances in years, the functions 

 of the organs may be explained with sufficient fullness 

 to satisfy his natural craving for knowledge. 



If this course were pursued, how many might be 

 saved from ruin! It is, of course, necessary that the 

 parents shall themselves be acquainted with the true 

 functions of the organs before they attempt to teach 

 any one else, especially children. Many parents might 

 receive benefit from being obliged to ''study up;'* for 

 it is a lamentable fact, the ill effects of which are every 

 day seen, that a great many people have spent a very 

 large portion of their lives without ever ascertaining 



