,digital ,library47 ,,what ,,every ,,mother ,,should ,,know ,,margaret ,h4 ,,sanger ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,what ,,every ,,mother ,,should ,,know ,,or ,,how ,,six ,,little ,,children ,,were ,,taught ,,the ,,truth ,,by ,,margaret ,h4 ,,sanger ,,the ,,rabelais ,,press #bg-bi ,new ,bowery1 ,new ,york #aiad ,illustration3 #dd,r ,pinski-,massel ,press ,to ,stuart1 my first born1 whose first heart throb led me into the joyous complexities of motherhood4 ,dedicated ,january1 #aiaa4 ,,preface4 ,the following articles were put into story form for the mother so as to enable her to make the truth and facts just as interesting to a child's imagination as possible4 ,the idea is that the child be taught the process of reproduction and absorb such knowledge without realizing he has received any 8sex0 instruction4 ,m4 ,h4 ,s4 ,,contents ,,preface4 ,,introduction4 ,chapter ,i4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,buttercup1 ,their ,home and ,families4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,the ,flowers4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,the ,toads and ,frogs4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,birds and ,their ,families4 ,chapter ,v4 ,the ,birds and ,their ,families4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,mammals and ,their ,children4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,man's ,development4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,conclusion4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,introduction4 ,there is scarcely any subject which is of greater importance or of greater interest to parents than this subject of teaching children the truth about life and birth4 ,every parent knows that at one day their little boy or girl will have matured into the possessor of the powers of procreation1 yet they fail to teach the child how to care for1 or how to regard these powers they possess4 ,biologically speaking1 these creative powers are the most important functions of the body1 but they are the only functions of the human body which are utterly ignored by both parents and teachers4 ,in order to perpetuate the species1 nature has endowed all animals with sexual instinct1 and man is the only animal who is ashamed of this instinct4 ,man is the only animal who voluntarily limits his offspring1 though he continues in his sexual relation4 ,man1 and man alone1 is the only animal who is subject to disease directly inimical to the integrity of the organs of reproduction4 ,so1 with this last assertion before our eyes1 we parents cannot help but see that the danger signal is out4 ,it is there and shows itself in the death list1 in statistics1 in the hospitals1 where thousands of innocent girls and women are being operated upon4 ,in fact1 the danger signal is everywhere about us1 if we could but understand what it really is4 ,in the public schools all over this country there is a general cry for help4 ,teachers are calling out for assistance to help them check the degrading and immoral atmosphere which is pervading the school rooms today4 ,the words and language of the children 7of all ages7 found whispering together1 the writings in the notes and on the walls of the buildings1 all tend to show childrens' thoughts4 ,and in these actions the teacher sees the danger signal4 ,she realizes this is the first awful step1 and not knowing how to cope with these conditions1 she calls for help4 ,the time comes to every mother when she first hears her child say3 8,when ,i get big and have a little girl ,i'll1 etc40--showing that the natural average child takes it as a matter of course that at some future time he or she will have children1 too4 ,shortly after this1 questions are likely to begin1 as when the parents speak of things they did1 or places they went to either before marriage or early after1 and the child asks3 8,what did ,i do1 father80 8,was ,i there1 too1 mother80 ,then begins the mystery4 ,and the lies told by the parents in answer to these simple questions are shameful to hear4 ,father and mother smile slyly at each other and reply3 8,oh1 no1 dearie1 you were not there40 8,where was ,i1 then80 the child insists4 ,another sly look passes between the parents and the lies begin4 8,you were in heaven10 or 8among the flowers1 etc40 8,how did ,i get ,,here1 then80 continues the small questioner1 who is in quest of information concerning ,,the most important subject in the child world1 the 8,i40 ,then of course1 the reply comes that the stork or the angels1 or oftimes the doctor brought him4 ,however1 any answer will do which will delude the child's mind and keep him1 as the parents say1 8innocent40 ,now let us see what happens4 ,this little child is beginning to think4 ,he has received brand new information1 something fully as wonderful and mysterious as ,santa ,claus1 and he loves to think about it and talk about it1 too4 ,he goes again to mother 7father is not always around7 and besieges her with questions1 and she all in ignorance of the harm she is doing him1 becomes so entangled in this mesh of lies that she becomes cross1 or impatient1 and stops his eager questions by sending him out to play to divert his attention to some other subject4 ,but his attention is not long diverted before he returns to this subject1 and if his walk is taken with an aunt or nurse he continues to ask questions1 and to his even greater surprise1 the aunt or nurse1 not knowing what the parent has told him1 tells him what she thinks4 ,this will very likely be an entirely different story from that his parents told him1 and so he begins to realize that there is some secrecy1 which no one will explain1 and he becomes determined to find out the meaning of it all4 ,by the time this little fellow is one year in school he knows all about who brought him from 8heaven0 and how the stork came1 etc4 ,he may have been most carefully reared in the little things which help to make him thoughtful and considerate of others2 he may have been trained in every way to make him upright1 honest and truthful1 but the vile words with which this information thus received by him is clothed1 the base and foul idea of love and marriage1 the distorted view of the creative power which he receives1 cannot help but stunt and deform his mind and leave his conception of the beauty of birth and love forever scarred4 ,if1 on the other hand1 the child had been told the truth by his parents and had the reasons explained to him for not talking to other children on this subject2 if he had had impressed on him what a trust was his and how beautiful a gift to take care of1 he would have been satisfied and his curiosity would have ceased4 ,there are excellent parents who pride themselves and boast of never promising their child anything from a toy to a spanking without keeping the promise1 but who find themselves most embarrassed and confused when it comes to speaking about the facts of birth4 ,this attitude of mind comes from several reasons4 ,one is that there are parents1 good1 faithful and loving1 who do not know the dangers and results of street instruction1 who think they are keeping the child 8pure and innocent0 and prefer to give the child the impression of 8spiritual0 birth1 as implied in the answer 8,the angels brought you from heaven40 ,again1 there are parents who know the value of home instruction1 but know not how to tell them1 and it is for these mothers that the following articles are written4 ,the best method is to begin to teach the little child when it is very young4 ,at #d years of age the first lessons of the flowers could be begun4 ,keep it up4 ,then a little later1 say six months1 teach about the fish or frogs4 ,then the next year the life of the birds should be taught1 and by the sixth year the child will be ready for the mammals and humans4 ,in case he asks questions before he has learned of the mammals1 refer him back to the flowers and you will find an answer4 ,most children are safe from being polluted in thought after the study of the flowers1 but as the child's mind keeps growing and developing1 his questions in order to be answered truthfully demand that he be taught the higher stages of development4 ,mothers1 keep in mind1 the beauty and wonder of it all1 and as you proceed in the study of the mechanism of the reproductive organs of human beings you cannot but impress upon the child the beauty and wonder of love4 ,help the child to realize the sacred trust of his organs1 the danger in misusing them4 ,help him to realize the physical and moral development which awaits him in parenthood1 but above all keep him close to you in confidence through the truth4 ,my object is to help all mothers who wish to give their children the right conception of the beautiful truths of reproduction1 and we shall begin our first lessons 8,the ,flowers--,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,buttercup1 their home and their family40 ,,chapter ,i4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,buttercup1 ,their ,home and ,families4 ,little #e-year-old ,bobby sat playing in the sand pile one lovely afternoon in ,may1 and1 judging by the glimpses his mother had of him through the open door of their cottage1 his mind was to all appearances intent on making a sand fish perfect4 ,for in and out the damp sand was thrown from the pile to the fish mold many times1 until at last being perfect1 at least to his satisfaction1 he got up and ran to find his mother1 who was busy within the small two-room shack where they were living for the summer4 ,he caught hold of her apron to attract her attention1 and said3 8,mother1 where did ,i come from80 ,needless to say1 his mother was greatly surprised at this question1 just at that time1 for she had not the faintest idea that his thoughts were on anything but the perfection of that sand fish4 ,however1 she quickly recovered from her surprise and taking his little face between her hands1 said3 8,bobby1 dear1 that is the most wonderful secret in all the world1 and if you are quite sure you can keep this secret and only talk about it to father and mother1 ,i'll tell you all about it40 ,the curly head bobbed up and down in answer to this and as his eyes grew big and bright1 he answered3 8,do tell me the secret mother1 ,i'll never tell40 ,then she said3 8,let me ask you a question1 dear4 ,do you know where the baby flowers come from8 ,or the baby birds or chickens or all the baby creatures in the world80 8,no1 no10 he answered simply1 but excitedly4 ,then she told him that as soon as the dishes were put away1 she would take him for a walk in the woods where the baby flowers come from1 where the mother kept them when they were baby seeds and also tell him how the father and mother flower gave life to the little baby seeds1 which afterward grew into the lovely flowers we see all about us4 ,she would show him that he was once a little seed like the flower seed and kept in a soft little nest in the same way4 ,bobby's mother now regretted that she had not begun earlier to tell this story of the flower to ,bobby4 ,for she realized that had she done this then1 now when he had reached the stage of development where he was curious about his own being1 she could at once have taken up the story of his own creation1 and1 of course1 referred back to the story of the creation of the lower species4 ,this would have simplified matters greatly4 ,however1 she decided it could never be too late and the easiest and quickest way even now1 was to begin with the flowers4 ,it now occurred to ,bobby's mother that to teach her child alone the truths of ,nature would be a most fruitless task2 for in playing with his companions1 they would undo all her work unless they1 too1 were taught the truths1 and in the same way4 ,she consequently set about gathering in the children of the neighborhood with whom ,bobby played4 ,she explained to the mothers what she was about to do4 ,most of them strongly objected to their boys learning these things which they considered of interest only to grown-ups4 ,but five of the mothers consented1 and seemed delighted to have their children taught the truths in this most beautiful and interesting manner4 ,accordingly1 she took five little children1 together with her own1 ranging in ages from five to six and one-half years1 and started in the woods to hunt for the common wild flowers4 ,soon they were scrambling over boulders and fallen trees in search of mountain pinks1 violets1 buttercups1 anemones1 etc41 calling and shouting to each other at each new find1 their faces bright and happy with the glow of health4 ,it was a picture never to be forgotten2 and as they gathered around ,bobby's mother1 who was seated on a moss covered1 fallen tree1 they received their first lesson4 ,as the buttercup was a little early--those on this particular outing being the first ones found of the season--they naturally made it the most popular flower2 and so it became logically the first family to be studied4 ,they were told that the whole buttercup1 as they held it1 was the ,buttercup ,house1 whose color was yellow1 and that inside the house1 within the petals1 was the ,buttercup ,family4 8,is there a father80 asked one2 8and a mother80 asked another4 8,yes1 indeed2 there must be a father and mother if there are to be any seeds10 was the reply4 ,then they were told that all forms of plant life have but one object and that object is to reproduce their kind--8to make more flowers40 ,they were told that the flowers have reproductive organs--8parts that make more flowers0--called pistils and stamens4 ,illustration3 ,a complete flower3 st1 stamen2 pi1 pistil2 pe1 petal2 s1 sepal2 ca1 calyx2 c1 sorolia4 ,after ,bergen4 ,illustration3 ,pistil4 sti1 stigma2 sty1 style2 ov1 ovule4 ,after ,bergen4 ,the pistils were called the 8mothers0 because at the bottom of the thin tube are the ovules or seeds4 ,the pistils were examined carefully and the very top or stigma was found to be very sticky4 8,why80 asked the children4 ,but they were told they must wait and find out about the father before they found out why this part of the mother was sticky4 ,now attention was again called to the seeds lying within the pistil of mother1 and the fact that they were not developed yet4 8,why80 ,again we must wait to learn something about the father4 ,now we come to the stamen1 or 8father40 ,this is a slender thread-like fibre which has at its ends a little case or sac which contains a very fine powder-like substance1 called the pollen4 ,in most of the flowers there are several stamens and one pistil2 but in the buttercup there were several of each--so that the ,buttercup ,house contained several families1 the children were told4 ,now to come back to the fathers1 or stamens1 and the tiny sacs containing the pollen4 ,this pollen is a very important part of the growing of all flowers4 ,the children were asked to name some of the flowers which they knew that had this powder on them4 ,answer came in the name of golden rod1 wild rose1 cherry blossom and many others4 ,now it was explained that this pollen from the stamen1 or father1 must get into the pistil or mother1 and reach the ovules or seeds1 or the seeds cannot grow and develop into new plants4 ,this union of the pollen with the ovules we called 8mating0 or 8to mate40 ,and as this process of developing the seeds is the one object of plant life1 we shall see how they go about accomplishing this object4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,the ,flowers4 ,we learned that that ,buttercup family lived within the petals of the ,buttercup ,house4 ,and we learned that the pollen from the stamen1 or father1 must reach the pistil1 or mother1 before the little eggs or seeds contained in the mother can begin to grow and develop into new plants4 ,but the flower cannot move about as can animals1 so they must depend on insects and outsiders to bring the pollen into the little nest where the eggs are4 ,but unless there is some object attracting insects1 bees1 moths and butterflies1 etc41 to visit the flowers1 they would not come to them1 so the flowers have many attractions1 such as their color and their odor4 ,but the most important1 and one which is sweet is the little bag of nectar or honey contained in many flowers which all insects love and will go far to get4 ,when the insect visits the father1 it rubs against his pollen1 the pollen sticks to his head or legs4 ,then as he visits the mother1 if the stigma 7which is the top of the pistil1 or mother7 is ready for the pollen1 it shows this by becoming moist1 and sometimes sticky4 ,then the pollen clings to the stigma1 and down it goes through its tiny tube1 to the little nest of ovules1 or seeds1 where it mates and at once causes the seeds to become alive4 ,then they grow and grow until their time comes to burst forth and develop new plants themselves4 ,now1 it is also important that the little visitors who come for the nectar1 or honey1 should fly from flower to flower and not crawl1 because in doing so the pollen would drop off and never reach the mother flower1 who is anxiously awaiting this important substance1 so that the little seeds1 or babies1 may begin to grow4 ,consequently they have many ways of keeping out the crawling insects4 ,mrs4 ,buttercup has a very hairy stem1 which makes a very hard journey for ,mrs4 ,ant and others to come into the ,buttercup house for a little sip of honey4 ,she often starts there1 but gets so tired out that she gives up the trip and returns to her family without any honey for them4 ,this plan of growing a hairy stem is only one of the interesting ways the flowers have of keeping out the insects who cannot help them carry out the one object for which they exist--to make more flowers4 ,some of the flowers have a little trap door to their sac of honey1 which only the weight of the bee can open4 ,others keep their nectar in long tubes1 so that only bees with long tongues can reach it4 ,an example of this is in the ,orchid of ,madagascar1 which has a nectar tube eleven inches long1 and depends upon one certain kind of moth for its existence4 ,it is related that when ,darwin was confronted with the evidence of this flower as against one of his theories he insisted that such an insect must live--even before it had been discovered6 ,again1 other flowers keep their petals closed1 and the petals must be forced apart in order to get the honey by a strong bumblebee4 ,the flowers that are fertilized by the insects are called 8insect loving40 ,those that are fertilized by the wind are called 8wind loving10 etc4 ,the buttercup was thought not to need the insects to carry its pollen to the stigma--it was for some time thought to be what is called self-fertilizing4 ,but the discovery of the small sac of nectar shows that it must have a purpose1 and that purpose to attract insects to bring pollen from other father flowers to fertilize the tiny seeds4 ,the stigma is not always ready to accept the pollen1 but when it is ready it becomes moist1 and in some flowers sticky1 which shows it is in condition to accept the pollen or is ready to mate and that the seeds are ready for their development4 ,this condition often lasts only a few hours1 but sometimes a few days4 ,the boys had now been taught and had seen how the pollen reaches the baby seeds4 ,they had been taught the importance of the pollen for the growth of the seeds4 ,they had seen that after the pollen reaches the seeds1 that they are given new life1 that they remain right in their little nest and are nourished by the pistil or mother flower1 until they are full grown or matured4 ,now as this process is the whole object of the individual plant1 what happens then8 ,the boys were shown that as soon as the seeds begin to grow1 the petals1 on the mother flower1 begin to wither1 and it seemed as if the flower gave of its beauty1 form and youth in order that the baby seeds should grow and mature4 ,the boys were then taught that the plant depends on the earth and air for its nourishment1 and as the various flowers have various ways of keeping the crawling insects out of their honey sac1 so have they different ways of spreading or scattering their seeds after they have matured4 ,if all the seeds of all plants fell right down near the parent plant there might not be nourishment enough to provide all the seeds with food4 ,so again the outsiders assist them as they did in carrying the pollen4 ,this time it is the wind which does much to assist them in this work4 ,the birds1 too1 eat of the seeds and drop some of them on other ground4 ,the wind serves the milkweed and dandelion2 the birds help the fruits1 berries1 and the 8burrs10 help themselves by catching on the clothing of passersby1 or the fur and hair of animals4 ,then there are those seeds which are in pods--sweetpeas1 beans1 peas1 etc4 ,some of these dry and curl up1 and as this is done1 it throws the seeds in various places4 ,then there are those seeds which are in burrs1 nuts1 chestnuts1 etc41 which also burst open at a certain time1 some of them explode1 and this process scatters the seed over an area of several yards4 ,but the wind seems to be the most important messenger in helping the flowers scatter their seeds4 ,the boys were also taught that the plants breathe and need care2 that their struggle for existence is intense4 ,they are also taught of the beautiful development of the flower under cultivation1 and ,mrs4 ,buttercup and ,mrs4 ,daisy were both taken from the field and cultivated1 given plenty of light1 water and the proper soil1 best suited to the needs of each1 and the results were wonderful4 ,the boys each were given small gardens of wild flowers1 which they cared for themselves1 and the following year they each had small vegetable gardens4 ,every flower had a life story1 they were told1 and each a different story--interesting1 intense and true4 ,bobby's mother found that the boys absorbed this information readily and very quickly4 ,although they studied the flowers for an entire year1 they also studied the frogs and birds1 together with the flowers4 ,the mammals and humans were taken up during the winter4 ,they were also told that every baby seed continued this life of producing more flowers1 that every girl was like the mother flower who had the little seeds hidden within her ever since she was born1 while every boy is like the father flower and has the sac of pollen like him4 ,that the seeds are hidden way back in the abdomen and when she grows big enough the seeds will grow also and she too may be a mother of little boys and girls4 ,that the pollen in the boy is kept in the scrotum until he grows up big and strong1 when it too will be ready to add life to little seeds and then become the father of strong boys and girls4 ,on a later occasion when ,bobby was taking his bath1 he felt greater freedom now to ask all kinds of questions4 ,he pointed to the umbilicus and asked his mother what that was for4 ,he was told that that was the navel1 so called1 and it was where the cord had been which had tied him to mother when he was a little seed1 and through which he had received all his air1 food and drink4 ,this caused great surprise1 so much so that upon the first occasion in talking with the boys he gave this information in his own way1 which led one to understand all boys were interested and curious about this depression in the abdomen4 ,this information had a most marvelous effect in establishing the truth in their minds2 it seemed as if they needed proof and here1 indeed1 it was4 ,much more time could have been spent on the flowers1 but once the idea is given that each child is like the flowers1 and that the flowers are like people1 the rest is simple4 ,the frogs then took their attention1 but never wholly1 for on every occasion when a new flower appeared1 it was examined as to its color and possibilities of family rearing4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,the ,toads and ,frogs4 ,the next order of life to study should have been the fishes1 but as ,bobby's mother upon investigation found that the nearest stream which contained fishes was five miles away1 she decided to go on to the next highest order1 the frogs1 and point out1 as she went1 the difference in the two4 ,of course1 there was no difficulty in getting toads1 but just where to obtain and how to keep frogs puzzled the community for a few days1 until at last it was decided first to make a pond for the frogs to live in1 and then go to the nearby ponds and capture some4 ,they were especially fortunate in finding in their locality what at one time had been a reservoir1 which had a pipe leading into it from a nearby spring1 and another pipe leading out of it into a nearby stream4 ,that the pipe connecting the reservoir with the stream1 it was found1 could be corked1 and in a few days there appeared a delightful pond of clear1 clean and fresh water4 ,their delight knew no restraint when the afternoon came for them to go in search of some occupants for this nice new home4 ,accordingly1 they started out a little late in the afternoon1 with pails in their hands1 and eager1 expectant and happy faces4 ,as they came within sight of the pond1 they need search no further for frogs1 for the air was filled with sounds--queer1 croaking1 unmusical sounds1 but unmistakably sounds of the joy of the existence of frogs4 ,as they came nearer1 there was one gulp--8,chu-u-ug0--after another1 one splash after another4 ,then silence reigned supreme and not a sound could be heard4 ,the youngsters entered into the spirit of the hunt and scattered about the place4 ,some sat silently on logs or stones waiting patiently for a frog to appear on the edge of the pond2 others crouched near the water waiting1 with pails in hands1 ready to catch a frog the moment he should appear4 ,it was great fun catching them1 for no sooner was the word passed that a frog had been captured1 when1 lo6 he was gone4 ,it was not long1 however1 before the little procession was marching homeward with frogs a-plenty4 ,this new pond made a fine place for them to live in1 and they thrived and grew4 ,for a few days the children made a daily excursion to the pond upon the hill1 and brought more frogs to the new home2 they brought frogs' eggs1 too1 which they carried carefully in their pails4 ,the eggs were watched1 and each day saw a change1 so that within a week the pond was swarming with tiny tadpoles or 8polly-wogs10 as the children called them4 ,these1 too1 they carefully observed while they fed them1 and as the tiny legs and feet developed1 while the tail became absorbed and disappeared--they were told that now the tadpole had changed into a frog and needed air4 ,then stones were placed into the pond1 so large that their surfaces protruded from the water1 and upon these the baby frogs hopped and croaked their thanks4 ,the tadpole can be kept in a tadpole state a long time if he is not properly nourished4 ,also1 if his tail is bitten off by an enemy it will grow again4 ,the toads were found to be more interesting1 because they did more actual service to mankind4 ,the children were told that toads live on land almost all of the time1 only going to the water to lay their eggs2 that they feed on insects from the garden1 such as the grub1 cut worm1 slug1 caterpillar1 worms1 etc4 ,anything alive he will eat4 ,the toad is1 therefore1 a great help to the farmer1 and no little boy would ever harm a toad if he but understood what a helpful creature he is in the garden4 ,the frog labors under many disadvantages1 as well as having many enemies4 ,the first great disadvantage is that he is neither a water creature1 like the fish1 nor a land creature like the reptile2 so that his struggle for existence is very hard4 ,should he decide to leave one pond1 where the enemy is overwhelming1 his only chance is to start on a rainy day to discover a new home for himself1 and if he has the good fortune to find one before the sun comes out and dries things up1 he is safe4 ,at first the children showed a dislike to touch the toad on account of getting warts1 but they soon learned that the fluid which the toad expels when he is picked up suddenly is harmless--and produced no warts--but there is a liquid which exudes from the toad when he is in severe pain 7his means of self-defense7 that burns the mucous membrane and causes stinging pain4 ,animals1 generally speaking1 are aware of this fact1 and if you watch a dog play with or tease a toad1 you will see that he does not bite him1 but simply puts his paw on him4 ,the skunk1 too1 is most careful1 and rolls the toad on the grass to wipe off this caustic fluid4 ,toads during the process of development shed their outer skins every four or five weeks4 ,adult toads shed theirs about four times a year4 ,this skin is shed in one piece1 much as a man removes his shirt1 and is then swallowed4 ,the tongue of a toad is fastened in front of his mouth1 which helps greatly to catch his food1 as he shoots his tongue out and seizes it4 ,he does not drink like other creatures1 but absorbs water through the pores of his skin4 ,if kept in a dry place for even a few days1 he will grow thin and die2 but if a toad has proper environment he will live to be very old4 ,toads do not breed1 or produce their kind1 until they are #c or #d years old4 ,when at this age ,miss ,toad1 or ,frog1 awakens from her long winter's sleep1 she feels hungry1 and glad1 perhaps1 that she has lived through the winter1 for she feels life within her4 ,undoubtedly she is glad and happy to be awake1 and off she goes to search for food and friends4 ,perhaps she finds ,mr4 ,toad1 who1 too1 feels life stirring within him2 he also feels the joy of spring1 so together they go to the breeding pond4 ,like ,mrs4 ,buttercup1 ,mrs4 ,toad has within her body a little nest where little seeds or eggs have been kept and have been growing1 and now that the time has come when they need awakening to a new life1 they need life from the ,father ,frog just as the buttercup needed pollen from the stamen4 ,mr4 ,toad 7or ,frog71 too1 is stirred by this new and wonderful life giving desire within him--this desire to mate--and when ,mrs4 ,toad 7or ,frog7 feels the eggs are to be expelled1 he comes very close to her1 and in order to fertilize every egg before it goes into the water1 he holds her fast behind the arm1 and as they are expelled he pours over them his life giving fluid1 which enters every tiny egg and gives it life--a new life4 ,in a few days the eggs begin to grow2 they are all incased in a colorless1 transparent jellylike substance1 which serves as food for the tadpole while forming1 and also for protection4 ,they are spherical in shape1 and in ten days the pond will swarm with tiny tadpoles4 ,mrs4 ,frog lays between #ejj and #a1jjj eggs at one time2 ,mrs4 ,fish1 however1 is still more prolific1 for she lays #a1jjj1jjj eggs4 ,mrs4 ,fish lays her eggs in the water4 ,she cleans a place by blowing all rubbish away with her fins1 and there she deposits her eggs4 ,many of these float away before they can be fertilized by ,mr4 ,fish4 ,impress the child with the knowledge that here is one of nature's earliest signs of motion4 ,that the flowers could not move about to seek their mates1 but the fishes1 frogs and all higher forms of life do this1 and are more particular as they ascend the scale of life4 ,thus1 the children were taught that the higher in the scale of development living creatures go1 the greater care must be given them4 ,not only to the undeveloped seed within the mother's body1 but also to the egg after it has passed from her to the nest1 for as creatures develop and ascend the scale1 their eggs and offspring become fewer4 ,and emphasis was laid on the care ,mr4 ,frog took to fertilize the egg ,,before it went into the water--one step higher than ,mr4 ,fish4 ,there is no doubt that the words 8cold-blooded10 as applied to frogs and toads1 hit the mark1 for there is not the slightest affection or sympathy shown or felt for their own kind4 ,they give no care or concern to the eggs after they are deposited1 and the 8polly-wog0 has to depend on himself4 ,nature seems to have given them but one instinct relative to their kind1 and that is the one blind impulse or instinct of reproduction4 ,early in the summer months1 the frog orchestra seems well tuned1 but as the cold days come on the toads crawl into a hole1 making it as they go1 while the frogs go into the mud to sleep through the winter1 out of reach of frost and snow1 where they lie dormant until the spring air shall again inspire them with the joy of living4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,birds and ,their ,families4 ,the next step to be taken was the study of the birds4 ,everywhere could be seen father and mother birds busy making their house for the babes1 which were soon to come to live with them4 ,great fun it was to hunt for nests and count the number each one discovered4 ,first1 right in ,bobby's yard was a young horse chestnut tree1 and here in this tree ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,thrush had already built their nest1 or house1 and were even now waiting for the first egg to come4 ,again the children were told that ,mrs4 ,bird was more active and more intelligent than ,mrs4 ,frog or ,toad2 that altogether she was a higher creature than either the flower1 the fish or the frog2 that all father birds and all father creatures on up the scale of development use greater care to fertilize the egg than either ,mr4 ,buttercup1 ,mr4 ,fish1 ,mr4 ,toad or ,mr4 ,frog4 ,for1 instead of fertilizing it in the water1 or with the help of the insects or wind1 the egg of the higher creatures is fertilized while still in the mother's body4 ,just like the flowers1 ,mrs4 ,bird has an ovary1 where the little seeds or eggs are kept4 ,this ovary is attached to a tiny tube1 and this tube has no separate opening directly out of the body1 but runs into the intestine very close to the outer opening of the body1 where the intestines throw off the waste food4 ,now1 these little eggs have been within the ,mother ,bird's body always1 ever since she herself came out of the egg1 and they have been growing slowly all the time until a time comes when1 like the stigma of the pistil 7which at a certain time is ripe for fertilization and becomes moist and sticky71 they1 too1 are ripe for fertilization4 ,that this time has arrived is shown by many outward signs--such as beautiful plumage and charming songs4 ,especially in the male bird does this show itself4 ,his whole nature seems bubbling over with the desire to mate and the knowledge that at last he1 too1 has developed4 ,for though there are no eggs within his body1 there is something else there just as important to the creating of new little birds1 and he feels the time has come when this fertilizing substance is ready to do its work4 ,his color becomes bright1 even brilliant1 and his voice becomes enchanting4 ,thus he tells the world of this glorious happiness4 ,this period is called the mating season--the time when both father and mother birds awaken to the desire of building their nest and creating offspring4 ,the egg has become as developed as ,mrs4 ,bird alone can make it4 ,for1 like the flower seed1 the fish and frog egg1 it needs the fertilizing substance from the father bird to complete its development4 ,as has been said before1 the father bird knows that there are so few eggs that he and ,mrs4 ,bird cannot afford to lose even one1 so great1 very great care must be taken to fertilize every egg4 ,there is an instinct in all creatures implanted there for millions of years to preserve or perpetuate their species1 and this instinct shows itself when the father creature1 like the father bird1 places himself in such a position that the fertilizing fluid can get into the mother's body as near as possible to the undeveloped eggs4 ,and as every atom of this substance is alive1 it moves on1 on and on1 until it reaches the egg1 where it mingles with it and the two different substances have become one4 ,now after the two substances have mingled1 the egg passes down the little tube on through the opening out of the body into the nest4 ,while it is passing through the tube1 however1 it accumulates a food substance called the 8white0 of the egg4 ,this is not the living part of the egg1 but simply food just as the frog eggs were incased in a soft substance1 which served as food for the tadpole--so in the yolk1 is the new baby bird1 incased within the 8white0 of the egg4 ,at the bottom of the tube1 through which the egg passes to its opening1 is a fluid which also incases the whole egg and hardens into a shell1 and it is then ready to go into the little nest4 ,after the fertilization takes place the egg is soon ready to be laid1 and so the nest must be ready1 soft and cozy4 ,and this is what ,mrs4 ,thrush was now waiting for in the nest she and ,mr4 ,thrush had built in the horse chestnut tree4 ,but even this was not all4 ,for1 though the eggs were here1 the new little birds were not yet here4 ,and again it was shown that while the frogs and toads left the eggs in the water to care for themselves1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,bird do not and can not do this4 ,the eggs must be kept warm almost constantly1 and so ,mrs4 ,bird gathers them close to her warm body and sits on them day after day1 until they are ready to burst the shell open1 and come out--the real new birds4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,the ,birds and ,their ,families4 ,now that the nest in the horse chestnut tree was completed1 ,mr4 ,thrush sat near by waiting to hear the glad news that one egg had come4 ,so the next time ,mrs4 ,thrush went away from the nest for her bath the children peeped into the nest and there saw one speckled egg6 ,the next day another was there1 and the next day still another4 ,mr4 ,thrush was a most interesting father for the children to observe1 for he fought off any bird who ventured too near ,mrs4 ,thrush's nest4 ,for birds there are who are too lazy to build their own nests1 and boldly take possession of any nest they can4 ,father ,thrush knowing this1 was ever on the defensive and ready to fight to protect his 8wife0 and little ones4 ,he watched when she went for food--and when at sundown she went to the stream to bathe1 he also watched4 ,the ,thrushes seemed to do most of their love-making at sundown in song4 ,the song consists of four notes1 which the children interpreted as saying1 8,do you love me80 ,and the answer came in three notes1 8,i love you40 ,if singing meant happiness1 ,father ,thrush was certainly very happy these days4 ,for he seemed to sing more than any of the other birds1 except1 perhaps1 ,father ,song-,sparrow1 who1 too1 was overjoyed at the arrival of four youngsters4 ,mother ,thrush never answered ,father ,thrush's musical song while she was waiting for the eggs to hatch--she was very still then always--but he must have taken her love for granted1 for he sang on just the same4 ,one day some time later when the children took their usual place under the tree1 the air was rent with shrieks and cries from both birds1 who flew at them and scolded so shrilly that the children decided it was best to go away1 but on watching from a distance they saw ,mrs4 ,thrush bring food in her mouth1 and three tiny heads1 with open bills1 stretch themselves above the nest4 ,they knew now why ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,thrush objected to their going so near the nest that day4 ,the children were so excited that it was difficult to keep them from going to the nest to see4 ,but when they were reminded of the great care ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,thrush had given the eggs1 so that they might hatch into little birds1 and were told that it would trouble them greatly and excite them to have any one touch the nest1 they decided to wait for a better opportunity4 ,it did not come for several days1 for ,mr4 ,thrush was a most watchful father4 ,but these ,thrush youngsters were developing so fast and had such husky appetites it took both ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,thrush busy to keep them fed4 ,so when the parents were off on their hunt for food the children carefully looked into the nest4 ,there they were1 three featherless1 fearless1 funny things1 with only knowledge enough to stretch their necks for food4 ,the day that ,mrs4 ,thrush first hurriedly told ,mr4 ,thrush that one scrawny 8imp0 had come out of its shell1 he seemed overjoyed1 for he sang all day long--even into the night4 ,this was1 perhaps1 the most vivid example of a father's joy the children saw4 ,but another case came to their notice of a father bird's devotion--and that was when ,mrs4 ,sparrow deserted her little ones4 ,there was an old apple tree at the back of the house1 and in the trunk of this tree ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,sparrow had made a home for their children4 ,one morning there was a call of distress from ,mr4 ,sparrow4 ,the children watched him as he flew from tree to tree1 and limb to limb1 calling--calling in the most plaintive tones4 ,all day he called until the sun went down behind the ,palisades1 but no mother returned to her children4 ,it was quite decided that ,mrs4 ,sparrow was hurt1 or even killed1 and great was the excitement over this terrible possibility4 ,after two days of calling and calling ,mrs4 ,sparrow returned--but not alone4 ,the guilty partner of her flight came along1 too1 and ,father ,sparrow promptly chased him away1 but every time ,father ,sparrow flew at him and chased him off1 ,mrs4 ,sparrow would fly away with him4 ,then poor ,father ,sparrow would call and coax and tease and plead with her to return1 and she would return just long enough to see the little fledglings1 and off she would go with the other sparrow4 ,each day she returned to see the little ones and trouble the poor father1 who was trying so hard to provide for the motherless family4 ,the other birds seemed most sympathetic1 and on one occasion ,mr4 ,robin watched the sparrow house while ,mr4 ,sparrow chased the wooer of his wife4 ,this was the last time1 for ,mrs4 ,sparrow never again returned to her family4 ,no other birds ever went near that tree wherein the lone 8widower0 dwelled4 ,he seemed greatly respected by the other birds4 ,he taught his little ones to fly and where to find the choicest food in ,bobby's garden4 ,the children insisted on caging the cats for a few weeks so that ,father ,sparrow would not have this extra burden on him4 ,they were of one decided opinion that father love and devotion saved that family1 and all agreed that it was a most important factor in bringing up a family4 ,this was a most unusual case1 and the boys were made to realize its unusualness1 for it is very seldom that a mother ever deserts her young4 ,it was funny to watch the sentiments of these small tots4 ,as soon as ,mrs4 ,sparrow returned for her short intervals the children got bread and worms and all kinds of tempting food in hopes that she would remain with her family4 ,they were willing like ,father ,sparrow to forgive her1 but as soon as she made her preparations to go away1 instinctively they picked up stones to throw at her1 so intense was their interest1 and it is feared that had not a grown-up been with them something would have happened1 for the air was full of whispers1 and words like bean shooters1 air rifles1 etc41 were heard occasionally4 ,however1 their attention was diverted to ,miss ,oriole1 who had two young ,oriole attendants4 ,each asked for her love--and she would not decide4 ,how she teased them both1 and how desperately she flirted4 ,of course1 the lovers despised each other1 but how wonderfully they told her in song of their great love for her1 each trying to outdo the other4 ,when no one was about she must have made up her mind to accept one1 and it was noticed it was he with the sweetest voice rather than the one with beautiful plumage who won her4 ,he was a most daring and fearless lover and took beautiful care of her while they were waiting for the eggs to hatch4 ,the summer was one lovely long day watching the birds4 ,as the cold weather came on1 the birds became fewer--new and strange birds on their way to the ,south came for food and flew away again4 ,there was no more interesting and charming lesson of paternal love to be learned than among the birds1 and it was noticed that no longer was the mother of sole interest1 but the father's habits and life became of interest4 ,the children received their lesson of father love1 through the birds4 ,where the father flowers1 fish and frogs gave themselves no concern over the young1 here was a higher creature1 whose love of offspring was not purely physical1 but represented something higher in his makeup4 ,this was not only the desire to procreate1 but to protect and care for his offspring after their creation4 ,this is perhaps one of the best times to begin to talk to the child of its own body1 if one has not done so before4 ,the study of the birds gives the boy particularly a beautiful impression of the father's part in life1 so that it is quite natural for him to think of himself in this relation too4 ,teach the child that there is no shame in nature4 ,mothers should never say 8shame on you0 when a child exposes any part of its body4 ,always allow perfect freedom in his acts and affections4 ,teach him that love and affection are beautiful1 and let him follow his impulses in these4 ,never make children kiss people for 8form's0 sake1 either aunts or uncles or any others2 let them alone in this for their instincts are keener1 often1 than ours4 ,it was not until all the familiar birds had gone that their thoughts turned to the higher stage1 the mammals4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,mammals and ,their ,children4 ,the first question one of the boys asked was1 8,what is a mammal80 ,it was explained to the children that a mammal is an animal with a hairy covering1 who breathes with lungs1 and has warm or quick circulating blood4 ,they have little ones1 which when born are not in the form of eggs1 like the frogs or birds1 but have the same shape as their parents1 though smaller and weaker4 ,the mother mammal nurses these little ones with milk secreted from glands1 called mammary glands4 ,and that is why they are called 8mammals40 ,their instincts are highly developed1 and they are considered the highest animals4 ,many instances were shown them of the meaning of instinct1 as that of the mother bird turning over her eggs every day4 ,in fact1 from the first the word was explained in every stage to enable them to know the difference between instinct and reason later on4 ,there was no one creature taken up this time1 but all together1 and some pictures were shown them of lower tribes of man1 and it was decided that man must be classed with the mammals1 for he is partly covered with hair1 gives birth to young in his own shape1 and feeds the young from mammary glands4 ,they were told that there is a mammal1 the spiny ant eater1 covered with hair1 which1 however1 lays eggs like the birds in nests4 ,they were told about the kangaroo and opossum1 who give birth to their little ones very early1 and carry them in a pouch until they are able to help themselves4 ,as soon as the little opossum is born1 ,mother ,opossum picks him up in her mouth and places him in her pouch1 where he sucks away at the milk which is secreted there1 until he is strong and able to get food for himself--which is about the same length of time that other mammals carry their young before giving birth to them4 ,they were told of the bats and the flying squirrels4 ,they were told that ,bobby's cat must be given a new clean box1 or bed2 that she must not be handled roughly or chased1 because she was going to have little kittens4 ,to the utter astonishment of ,bobby's mother there was a chorus of1 8,how do you know80 and she realized that she might have omitted a most important piece of information4 ,they were again reminded of the birds and the undeveloped eggs coming from the ovary of mother bird1 which at a certain time become ripe for fertilization2 of how the father bird at a certain time feels he has developed 7since the fertilizing principle within him has developed7 so that in coming in contact with the undeveloped egg within the mother's body1 these are quickened into life4 ,the same process goes on with the mammals1 but as the instinct becomes more developed as they go higher in the scale of life breeding becomes more complex4 ,they were told that where in birds the whole egg1 shell and all passes out of the mother's body into the nest1 with the mammal the shell becomes a thin skin1 which envelops the little one1 but remains within the mother's body until it is grown enough and strong enough to live on the milk from the mother4 ,while it is within the mother's body it is fed from the blood of the mother1 and all the food she eats helps to make the little ones within her strong4 ,it is of great assistance for a mother to have some knowledge of the processes of assimilation so that the children will learn how the food products in the blood1 instead of supplying the mother1 go to the child to build up bone1 muscle1 nerves and tissues4 ,they were told that as the mammal grows and develops within the body of the mother her shape becomes changed--becomes larger in the region where the new life lies1 and that is how one could tell that ,mrs4 ,pussy ,cat was going to have a family4 ,it was dwelt upon at great length that it was necessary to know this1 because every mother needs protection from worry1 excitement1 cruelty1 overwork1 starvation at such a period2 that she needed kindness1 rest1 good food1 sunshine1 in order that she give the little ones strength and health4 ,they were told that in smaller animals many more eggs develop at a time and are fertilized but in the larger animals such as cows1 horses1 elephants1 etc41 only one egg develops and one animal is born4 ,in man1 too1 this is true4 ,one egg develops at a time1 and if it is fertilized it remains in its little nest 7or uterus71 and grows until it is ready to stand the changed conditions into which it must come after it is born4 ,if it is not fertilized it passes on out of the body and is lost1 but when it is fertilized by the father1 it remains in the uterus and grows until it is grown enough to withstand a different life and different surroundings4 ,at first the new being is only the size of a pea 7that is1 in a week after it is fertilized74 ,in a few weeks 7eight7 it is the size of a lemon1 and its shape is complete4 ,in four months it begins to move about1 to kick1 to move its little hands1 and in nine months ,mother ,nature can develop it no more4 ,it is time to change1 if it is to live1 so she sends it along the passage1 enlarging the passage and stretching it as it goes--which causes much pain and suffering to the mother1 until it reaches the outside world1 where it is taken and cared for and loved1 and all the mother's pain is forgotten in the joy of having her little one alive and strong and well4 ,one of the mothers was expecting the arrival of a little one1 and great care and tenderness was shown her after the children knew of this event4 ,she was assisted up the hills1 brought flowers and all the tenderness of which children are capable was bestowed upon her4 ,they anxiously watched and waited for its arrival1 looked over the small clothing which was being prepared for it1 and seemed as interested as any grown-up could ever be4 ,the most interesting questions were asked her each day4 ,at first the young mother was rather embarrassed1 but they were asked with such simplicity and frankness that she realized the prudery was in herself alone1 she soon entered the talks and answered their questions4 ,these were mainly of the little one's movements1 etc4 ,can it see8 said one4 ,does it kick8 said another4 ,does it like ice cream8 etc41 etc41 all perfectly innocent questions which can be answered1 and makes the reproductive act the natural and beautiful part of life that it really is4 ,soon the young mother and the children were on the most friendly terms4 ,they would come to her and confide their secrets to her1 tell her words other boys had used and asked her about these words4 ,they came to her in preference to telling their parents1 which shows again the necessity of every mother being the first one to tell the child this sex knowledge1 for the one who does tell it usually holds a strong influence over the child for some years to come4 ,they were taken to a farm some miles away to see a calf a few days old4 ,stories were read to them at this time about the habits of these animals and the care of their young4 ,they were taken to the ,museum of ,natural ,history in ,new ,york and to ,bronx ,park1 and such excursions were red letter days in their book of childhood4 ,they were told of the freedom of the animals in choosing their mates--that beauty and strength seemed the greatest qualifications4 ,the story of the bees was briefly told4 ,how the queen bee leaves her home amidst the hundreds of male bees who are all anxious to be the father of the future hive4 ,how she rambles about for a little while1 then up she flies--up1 up1 straight into the clouds with hundreds of male bees following4 ,gradually the weakest bees drop off and return1 but the stronger ones still follow until there are often only two male bees left in the race4 ,the weaker of the two returns and the strongest bee of the whole hive wins the queen bee1 and fertilizes the eggs within her body4 ,after this act of reproduction he dies1 and ,mrs4 ,bee returns to her hive and lays thousands of bee eggs4 ,the strongest gave his life that the future bees should be given his great strength4 ,the children were sad about this4 ,they wanted the strongest to live1 and it was now the place to teach them of their own bodies1 what cleanliness and strength means to the future race of man4 ,to give the children an idea of the shape of the uterus1 ,bobby's mother took a pear1 turned the large side up1 letting the stem part hang down1 it was then cut open lengthwise1 the seeds1 core and stem removed4 ,both halves were fastened together again with thin sticks just to get an idea of the shape of the baby's nest4 ,the part where the stem was is like the passage where the little one comes out into the world after the seeds have grown4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,man's ,development4 ,the great object which ,bobby's mother had in mind was to make these teachings of such a nature that the children would be impressed with the truth that they are only part of nature's great and wonderful plan4 ,they were reminded again and again of the stages of life--plants1 frogs1 birds and mammals2 of the millions of years it took to bring about these wonderful creatures and that at the top of the list1 perfect1 intelligent and supreme1 stands man4 ,man1 the most complex of all and the most perfect4 ,it was most natural for the children to consider nutrition and reproduction as the two most important essentials of any form of life4 ,up to this point this was quite sufficient4 ,the animals had instincts to nourish their bodies and also to procreate their offspring4 ,this seemed their life object1 but since man being the more intelligent1 there must1 of course1 be other and broader outlets for this great intelligence4 ,their own bodies was a subject which took months to cover in study4 ,they were shown charts of the human figure 7both sexes7 and all parts of the body were named in the same way as parts of the flower were named4 ,parts of the organs of reproduction were called by their names in telling of the works each part performed4 ,no special stress was laid on the naming of these parts1 but simply1 casually1 as one would speak of the various parts of the eye1 or any other organ4 ,in the same manner they were told of the harm done to their bodies in handling or touching any one part unnecessarily4 ,if the eye1 ear or nose was dug into1 we would surely greatly injure ourselves1 perhaps losing the use of that organ for the rest of our lives4 ,the generative organs are no exception in this4 ,to tamper with this most wonderful part of nature's machinery1 means not only sickness1 dullness of intellect1 stupidity1 physical and mental weakness1 but oftimes disables a little child for life4 ,in order to grow into perfect manhood or womanhood1 all parts of the body must be developed naturally4 ,if a little bud of a flower were to be roughly opened1 it fades and dies long before it can carry out the great object of its life1 namely1 to develop the baby seeds within it4 ,so with a boy or girl who carries within their bodies the making of a human life4 ,how terrible to cause that little life to be shattered1 just through ignorance and neglect4 ,the children were taught that there was one beautiful time to come to them--to look forward to and to hope for that time when they can look into a tiny baby face1 clasp two tiny baby hands1 and feel this wonderful and beautiful creation a part of their being--the expression of their souls4 ,they were told to keep in mind this time which should come1 and to keep their minds and bodies clean for this wonderful gift4 ,as all the children were still too young to go into the details of either menstruation or venerea diseases1 it was considered best to dwell on the early tribes of man on up to marriage1 and wait for future developments before going further4 ,the tree dwellers and cave dwellers were already familiar stories to them4 ,the fact that people lived together very closely2 that the woman had great freedom in choosing the man whom she wished to be the father of her child1 even as freely as the animals chose their mates2 that in this freedom great mistakes were often made1 such as that for a period some mothers chose their sons or brothers1 or fathers to be the father of the new little one2 that after a time it was found that this was very injurious to this new little child1 for he often could not walk1 or talk1 and was weak1 and sometimes a cripple--and more often died very young4 ,so the chiefs of these tribes got together and said this must not be1 for if this continued there would be no strong young men or women to till the soil or fight off the animals1 wild beasts or the enemy4 ,then a law was made that only those of the different tribes or families should choose each other for the parents of the future children1 and here the lesson of the ,buttercups came in--that often ,mrs4 ,buttercup would reject the pollen from the stamen in her own house1 but would accept the pollen from another buttercup house and become fertilized with that4 ,the part the two sexes took in different ways to strengthen and develop the race seemed of great interest to the children4 ,the work of hunting and fishing was left to the men of the family1 while equally important work1 that of cleaning and cooking the food1 was for the women4 ,men spent much time in making tools and weapons4 ,they were able to save much time and energy when the bow and arrow was invented1 for1 instead of taking all the time to creep upon a beast or enemy with a knife or sharp stone1 he could remain at a distance and do the same work4 ,thus1 men got a little more leisure time4 ,with every new invention their labor and energy was saved1 but it took much longer for labor-saving inventions for the women to come into use4 ,gradually the marriage form came into existence1 as these new tools and weapons became more valuable4 ,men wanted these to go to their very own children1 so it came to pass that the man could choose any woman he wanted to have for the mother of his children by getting consent from the captain or chief of the tribe4 ,if he received this consent then she1 the woman1 must live with him1 love him1 honor him 7no matter what he did71 and obey him in everything4 ,absolute submission was the law for the wife4 ,if she objected to this and ran away she was cast out and was beaten4 ,other tribes had the same laws and dared not take her in1 so she was left to die4 ,if she did not like her husband and took another for the father of her child she was often not only cast into prison1 but either stoned to death or burned at the stake4 ,naturally1 after years of this treatment1 she became submissive and so dependent on man for her living that she dared not express herself aloud1 merely as her husband allowed her to do so4 ,if she was very beautiful she was not made to work1 but the prisoners of other tribes who had been captured1 were made to work for her4 ,often the captain or chief had several wives1 but the wife was allowed only one husband4 ,as the children had been taught the lives of the mother flowers1 frogs1 birds1 bees and mammals1 there was no reason why the history of woman should not be taken up until they were ready for older work4 ,they loved to hear about this1 and it seemed just as interesting to them as the other stories4 ,it is important that mothers teach children the true history of the race1 and get the seed of truth planted for future cultivation4 ,the marriage laws have had many changes for the man1 they were told1 but few as far as the woman is concerned4 ,the different customs of women in different countries can be told them1 and the general development of both men and women can occupy a great deal of time until the children are more ready to understand the true or real significance of the studies to be later dwelt on4 ,the children were never talked at1 but always with4 ,they were allowed to talk freely4 ,once or twice the older children seemed a little conscious on taking up the matter of their own bodies1 yet after a few minutes as the other children joined in the conversation1 they1 too1 forgot and overcame the embarrassment1 and all went well4 ,the children were told frankly that some mothers did not like their children to know these things2 that like the fairy tales and the story of ,santa ,claus1 the mothers liked their children to believe that the stork brought them1 or some other fairy tale4 ,they were told that these things are not to be talked about with other children1 and any time any child wished to know anything about himself or any question whatever1 to come to the mother or father1 but never to other boys or girls4 ,these children were taught the necessities for the excretions of the body--that in order to have good health this used up waste food must pass out of the body or it would become poison and the boy or girl become sick and die4 ,there was no hurry in telling anything to the children4 ,most of this information was told on walks in the woods1 or at times when they seemed to want to know4 ,one story leads to another1 and before long the children's questions will bring everything from you which you wish to tell4 ,the result of these teachings has been commented on by the school teachers of these children1 who say they are so truthful1 clean-minded1 frank and open about all things that it is a pleasure to know them4 ,every mother can teach her children the truth if she only knows it herself1 and has the right attitude toward it4 ,she can elaborate on this plan or outline as much as she wishes1 but she must get down to the child's world in order to make her teachings impressive and successful4 ,the one unpardonable sin on the part of a mother is to let her children learn the truth elsewhere than from her own lips4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,conclusion4 ,one of the most important things which a mother must keep in mind is to give only such information and in the manner suitable to the child's age4 ,children differ so greatly1 that it is impossible to lay down any rules as to what and how much should be told at any age4 ,some children are very curious1 and very receptive always1 while others have little curiosity and even when told sex truths1 pay little attention to the telling1 or seem little impressed by it4 ,it is for each mother to do as she finds advisable4 ,children will often ask a question very seriously and before one can formulate an answer1 another question has been asked on another entirely different subject4 ,but the fact that he has asked the question shows that the mind has awakened to this curiosity1 and he will no doubt ask it again4 ,mothers1 be prepared6 ,do not force any thing2 it will all come in time if you keep close to the child in confidence4 ,just be prepared4 ,when children are very young get them accustomed to the naked body4 ,let them run about naked at night1 perhaps while undressing for bed4 ,let them bathe together or with you4 ,if this is done very early at any early age you will soon find that his thoughts are clean regarding the naked body4 ,you can then tell him the names of the different parts1 for he will most likely ask1 and his curiosity will often entirely cease4 ,this is the type of boy who looks back upon life and feels he has 8always known0 the clean and beautiful of life4 ,this is the opportunity to tell how to care for the body4 ,the teeth and nose should be cleansed morning and night4 ,when there is any itching of the rectum or sexual organs this is often caused by uncleanliness and washing of these parts at once will often relieve the irritation4 ,teach that no part of the body should be touched unnecessarily by any one1 and when there is any discomfort of any kind to come to the mother1 who will attend to it4 ,see that no clothing on the child is tight or causes irritation1 for this often leads a child to touch and handle himself and forms the habit of masturbation4 ,this is often acquired innocently1 even at the creeping age1 and the child becomes a victim and slave to the habit4 ,keep a close watch over children for this habit1 without making them conscious of it1 especially if the child prefers to be alone or remains long in bed in the morning4 ,these are by no means positive symptoms of the habit1 only when these signs are present keep your eyes open4 ,if you do find this habit is formed1 keep him up at night until he is sleepy1 or at least do not send him off to bed alone when he is not sleepy1 to lie and toss about with this temptation4 ,let someone read to him or tell him interesting stories which will divert his mind so he can fall asleep4 ,the same in the morning2 do not allow children to remain in bed after they have awakened2 do not have the bed too soft or the coverings too heavy2 the room should be cool and he should lie on his side rather than on the back4 ,keep his mind busy with interest4 ,get him to call you whenever he feels the temptation1 or to come where others are4 ,if he will trust the mother and together fight this habit1 he will soon be the victor4 ,always it is the same--confidence1 confidence1 is such a necessary part of the child's life4 ,when a child is under four years of age is the ideal time to gain this confidence1 for then there is nothing personal in anything you say2 all interests are general4 ,there is no shyness or consciousness of sex4 ,if this has been done1 when they take up the study of the birds more could be told them of the sexual parts2 that as some day he was to be a father he was made differently than mother or sister because he had a different part to do in life's work4 ,that he must keep well and grow strong in order to do this work4 ,there need be no mystery about the sexual truths2 impress upon it the sacredness of the process4 ,there is no greater crime against a child than for a parent to allow a child to flounder about with half truths1 gathered from polluted and corrupt associates4 ,be deliberate in giving the child the truth1 as much of it as he can take at a time1 or as little but have it the truth4 ,you will be confronted with questions concerning the vilest words of the street4 ,tell him frankly their meaning in your own clean way1 and the correct word to use in its place4 ,you will find when his curiosity has been satisfied he will no longer be curious or have any special desire to use these words4 ,every child first turns to its mother in confidence for all these questions4 ,never turn him off with a slight or embarrassed answer2 just rely upon your knowledge1 your natural knowledge1 and answer him4 ,every mother can do it4 ,do not make a ,sunday ,school lesson of these teachings1 only to be taught once a week on very solemn occasions4 ,children hate being talked at2 just be natural1 simple1 interesting1 informal1 and as often as the opportunity arrives4 ,this confidence and early understanding will bind you together far beyond that most difficult period1 puberty1 and enable you to strengthen the child's ideals of manhood and womanhood4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,what ,,every ,,girl ,,should ,,know by ,margaret ,h4 ,sanger ,,contents ,introduction ,girlhood-- ,physical ,growth ,mental ,development ,puberty-- ,generative ,organs1 ,uterus1 ,ovaries1 etc4 ,menstruation and its ,disorders ,sexual ,impulse-- ,masturbation ,sexual ,impulse in ,animals--in ,men4 ,its significance in ,love ,reproduction-- ,growth of the ,life ,cell in the ,uterus ,hygiene of ,pregnancy--,miscarriage ,some of the ,consequences of ,ignorance and ,silence-- ,continence in ,young ,men ,gonorrhoea ,syphilis #ej cents cloth bound ,address3 ,the ,woman ,rebel1 #cd ,post ,avenue1 ,n4 ,y4 ,city ,,the ,,woman ,,rebel ,,no ,,gods ,,no ,,masters ,,the ,,first ,,unveiled ,,female ,,head ,,raised ,,in ,,america ,an uncompromising1 unapologetic1 clear cut1 revolutionary paper1 dealing with sex education1 and advocating a militant attitude toward all things which enslave the working woman4 ,study1 think1 reason1 learn thoroughly the elements of a science that all women ought to know3 the knowledge of means to prevent conception4 ,published monthly4 ,subscription #a a ,year4 ,address3 ,,margaret ,h4 ,,sanger #cd ,post ,avenue ,new ,york ,city ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,transcriber',s ,,notes #a4 ,,contents added by transcriber4 #b4 ,removed 8,part ,i40 header on p4 #bi as there is no ,part ,,ii4 #c4 ,silently corrected typographical errors4 #d4 ,retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed4 #e4 ,enclosed italics font in underscores4 #f4 ,enclosed bold font in equals4