310 BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN PROBLEMS 



sense of propriety or to put it in the language of 

 physiology, to the control of lower nervous centers 

 by the inhibitory action of higher ones. In cases of 

 this sort, which represent common conditions among 

 civilized peoples, this restraint of the lower by the 

 higher centers is not accomplished without recurrent 

 struggles, sometimes of an extremely trying kind. 

 Finally there are individuals who have nervous 

 systems that are hypersensitive and in whom the 

 impulses that radiate from the sexual glands and 

 other organs keep consciousness much of the time in 

 a state of turbulent disorder. Strong intelligence 

 and strong inhibitions are needed to restrain the 

 sexual reflexes from being put into deliberate action, 

 and if these be inadequate, there exist the conditions 

 that favor a life in which sexual dissipation is a promi- 

 nent feature. And thus it is clear that the character 

 of the nervous system is a potent factor in deter- 

 mining the tendency of the adolescent with respect to 

 sexual morality. A wider recognition of this fact 

 will help to make people more tolerant of the sexual 

 errors of certain types of persons, at the same time 

 that it will aid in strengthening the inhibitions which 

 are required to turn the scales in the direction of a 

 reasonable practice of continence. 



It is customary for parents and teachers to avoid 

 all reference to the sexual problems that arise in their 

 children or pupils at the time of puberty. The 

 reason which is given for this ignoring of a vital func- 

 tion is that any discussion of it will tend to promote 



