SEX NEEDS 
41 
1. Why is one who entices another to vice doubly guilty? 
2. How does he wrong an innocent child ? 
Legal Protection. — Because girls, through ignorance, 
weakness, or undue complaisance, have often been the vic¬ 
tims of unscrupulous men, and because innocent children are 
made to suffer for the transgressions of their unmarried par¬ 
ents, the law offers a measure of protection (often too slight) 
to those in need. The offense of begetting an illegitimate 
child is called bastardy. The man who commits the offense 
can, upon conviction in court, be made to pay for the support 
of the child. To indulge in sex relations outside marriage is 
called fornication and is a punishable offense. Violation of 
the marriage vow is adultery , legally a more serious offense 
than fornication. If a man attempts to force a girl or woman 
against her will, he is guilty of assault and can be severely 
punished. If he succeeds in his attempt, he is guilty of rape 
and he may be sent to prison for years and in some states 
hanged. If a man has sex relations with a girl who is below 
the “ age of consent,” even though she consents or solicits the 
act, he is guilty of rape and may be punished. The age of con¬ 
sent differs in different states, commonly between fourteen and 
eighteen years. Under that age a girl is presumed to be un¬ 
suited to decide such a matter for herself and must be let alone. 
Define each of the following offenses and give the degree of pun¬ 
ishment which the law awards each : bastardy, fornication, adultery, 
assault, rape. 
Sex Needs. — Some young men have the notion that they 
need, for their most complete physical development, to have 
occasional sex relations with women. Nothing could be far¬ 
ther from the truth. Perfect health is in keeping with per¬ 
fect continence. In athletic training continence is the strict 
rule. It is considered one of the conditions necessary to the 
highest physical vigor. Men come to their marriage in the 
best sexual state if they have lived chaste lives. 
