“I shall take Julia out of that school at once,” said Mrs. Clyde, half-crying.
“No,” controverted the Health Master gently. “I shouldn’t do that. In the complex life of a city like this, it is impossible to shelter a girl completely and permanently. Better armor her with knowledge. Besides, the danger in the school, being discovered, is practically over now. In time, and using this experience as a lever with the school authorities, we hope to get a course of lectures on hygiene established, including simple sex-instruction. Meantime this must be carried on by the mothers and fathers.”
“But what am I to say to Julia?”
“That is what I am going to tell you,” replied the Health Master, “and look to you to pass on the truth in terms too plain to admit of any misunderstanding. First, does she know what womanhood and motherhood mean?”
“Not yet, I think. She seems so young. And it’s so hard to speak of those things. But I thought I would try to explain to her some day.”
“Some day? At once! How can you think her too young? She has already undergone the vital change from childhood to womanhood, and without so much as a word of warning or reassurance or explanation as to what it means.”
“Not quite without,” put in Grandma Sharpless quietly.
“Good!” approved the Health Master. “But be sure that the explanation is thorough. Tell her the significance of sex and its relation to reproduction and life. If you don’t, be sure that others will. And their version may well be in terms which would make a mother shudder to hear.”
“Who would tell her?” asked Mrs. Clyde.
“Her playmates. Do you think that girls don’t talk of the mysteries as much as boys? If so, you’re sadly in error. The first essential is that she should understand truly and wisely what it means to be a woman. That is fundamental. And now for the matter of venereal disease. I am going to lay certain facts before you all, and you can hand on to the children such modifications as you deem best.