Cultivate a sense of modesty in both girls and boys from babyhood.
Inculcate in boys a spirit of chivalry toward all girls and women; in girls, a sense of reserve, and an appreciation of their responsibility for the social and moral standards of boys.
Instill a personal ideal of worthy fatherhood and motherhood; this may begin incidentally at two or three years of age.
Give instruction in the biology of reproduction in plants, emphasizing the protection, care, and forethought for the young. The child naturally sees all the phenomena of life in an impersonal and wholesome, that is, a scientific way. Cultivate this attitude in him and in yourself.
Before children begin going to school, see that they are informed sufficiently about the origin and birth of human life so that they will no longer be curious or interested if unwholesome talk is presented. Ill-trained children or unscrupulous adults usually sense a well-informed and wholesome-minded child and are less likely to present any vulgar conversation in his presence.
The boy will early meet with superstitions and perverted ideals among his companions, particularly after twelve years, when the influence of parents and teachers is waning before that of his companions. Therefore teach him before this age that he has a great trust,—to protect these organs sacredly for his children until he is grown and is wise enough to be a father; that these organs are not like muscles which must be used to develop and preserve their function, but that they are glands, secreting fluids as other internal organs do, like the spleen or the thyroid gland, and that these fluids are needed for the well-being of the whole body; that the boys who ignorantly think otherwise or act otherwise are greatly injuring and weakening themselves.
Prepare both boy and girl, by instruction at about eleven years of age, for the physical changes that are before them, so they will not be surprised or frightened when these changes come. Thus prepared, they will not ignorantly resort to measures that may produce lifelong illness, or fall into the net of quacks, evil-minded men or women, or ignorant companions.
Avoid taking the children to the theater before twelve or fourteen years of age, and make it an event worth while. Be sure beforehand that the play is clean and wholesome and not overstimulating. Never allow children to go to theaters or picture plays without a responsible older person. Be your children’s companion in drama and in fiction as long as possible,—as long as you can see with their eyes and their interests.
Keep children occupied with handwork, physical activity, and outdoor life. It is the child with nothing to do, living an overfed, indoor, uncontrolled life, who has every condition for falling into temptation.
Cultivate an appreciation and taste for good literature, poetry, sculpture, painting, music. Provide abundance of good and wholesome books.