An indirect, gradual nature-study approach to sex instruction is superfluous and may arouse pupils' suspicions rather than disarm them¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · theoretical r2 · q1
Currency · newest study 1913 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q1 i? The problem of sex is already in the normal child's mind before the fourth grade, so a long indirect approach through nature study achieves neither of a method's technical purposes. → Cook 1913 q1 i? A boy who already has information or misinformation from associates will read a gradual introduction as stealthy, strengthening rather than disarming his suspicions. → Cook 1913 (2)

Evidence¶

Cook 1913¶

Cook, W. A. (1913). The problem of sex education. The Journal of Educational Psychology, 4(5), 253-260. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22The+problem+of+sex+education%22+Cook+1913

q1 · i? · theoretical · r2

Theoretical argument in the 'No Need of An Approach' section. The author argues a method's purposes are to widen interest and raise a problem, and that neither end is achieved because the problem already exists in the child's mind; he compares this to not teaching breathing hygiene via grasshopper spiracles.

"the problem of sex is in the normal child's mind before he reaches the fourth grade, and the only reason why we hear so little of it during liis pubescent years is because it has been crowded into the background by other active interests"

Cook 1913 (2)¶

Cook, W. A. (1913). The problem of sex education. The Journal of Educational Psychology, 4(5), 253-260. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22The+problem+of+sex+education%22+Cook+1913

q1 · i? · theoretical · r2

Theoretical argument in the 'Danger of the Slow Approach' section. The author contends the indirect method is positively dangerous because the teacher has not had the courage to attack the problem directly from the child's standpoint, so the boy concludes there is a skeleton in the closet.

"he is exceedingly quick to note what he considers a stealthy, because gradual, introduction of a subject which he has been told to discuss "only with the fellows." Hence his suspicions are aroused and strengthened instead of being disarmed"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Imparting simple facts of sex is insufficient; instruction must be given in a vital, dynamic way by teachers who understand childhood and youth — related
• High school pupils are the peculiarly ripe starting point for sex instruction, and the appropriate lower grade limit should be established by starting at the top of the school and working down — related
• The school is the only organized agency that can assure sex instruction reaches all children, since the home and free literature cannot be relied upon — related