Part 3 (1/2)

s.e.x IN THE ADOLESCENT FEMALE

(FROM p.u.b.eRTY TO MATURITY)

Adolescence in the girl is the period when she develops into a woman.

It is that stage in female life embraced between the ages of twelve or fourteen and twenty-one years. Elasticity of body, a clear complexion, and a happy control of her feelings should mark the young girl at this time, if she has been so fortunate as to escape the dangers and baneful influences of childhood and infancy. Her numerous bodily functions should be well performed. Thus const.i.tuted she should be in a condition to take up her coming struggle with the world, and the s.e.x problem it will present.

p.u.b.eRTY

It has been noticed that in the case of girls, p.u.b.erty usually occurs earlier in brunettes than in blondes. In general, it makes its appearance earlier in those of a nervous or bilio-nervous temperament than in those whose temperament is phlegmatic or lymphatic. In the United States fourteen and a half years is the usual age of p.u.b.erty in girls. In tropical lands, however, it is not uncommon for a girl to be a mother at twelve. Country girls (and boys) usually mature several months or a year later than those living in cities. Too early a p.u.b.erty in girls may well arouse concern. It usually indicates some inherent const.i.tutional weakness. Premature p.u.b.erty is often a.s.sociated with premature decay.

THE SIGNS AND CHANGES OF p.u.b.eRTY

In the girl the sign of p.u.b.erty is the growth of hair about the p.u.b.es, private organs and armpits. Her whole frame remains more slender than in the male. Muscles and joints are less prominent, limbs more rounded and tapering. Internal and external organs undergo rapid enlargement, locally. The _mammae_ (the b.r.e.a.s.t.s) enlarge, the ovaries dilate, and a periodical uteral discharge (menstruation) is established.

MENSTRUATION

No young girl should feel alarmed if, owing to the negligence of her parents or guardians to prepare her, she is surprised by this first flow from the genital organs. p.u.b.erty is the proper time for the appearance of menstruation. This is the periodical development and discharge of an ovule (one or more) by the female, accompanied by the discharge of a fluid, known as menses or catamenia. Menstruation, in general good health, should occur about every twenty-eight days, or once in four weeks. This rule, however, is subject to great variation.

Menstruation continues from p.u.b.erty to about the forty-fifth year, which usually marks the _menopause_, or ”change of life.” When it disappears a woman is no longer capable of bearing children. Her period of fertility has pa.s.sed. In rare cases menstruation has stopped at 35, or lasted till 60.

HINTS FOR OBSERVANCE DURING MENSTRUATION

When the period arrives a girl or woman has a feeling of discomfort and la.s.situde, there is a sense of weight, and a disclination for society. Menstruation should not, however, be regarded as a nuisance; a girl's friends respect her most when she is ”unwell.” She should keep more than usually quiet while the flow continues, which it will do for a few days. Also, she should avoid all unnecessary fatigue, exposure to wet or to extremes of temperature. Some girls are guilty of the crime of trying to arrest the menstruation flow, and resorting to methods of stopping it. Why? In order to attend a dance or pleasure excursion! Lives have been lost by thus suppressing the monthly flux.

Mothers should instruct their daughters when the menses are apt to begin, and what their function is. During menstruation great care must be taken in using water internally. A chill is sufficient to arrest the flow. If menstruation does not establish itself in a healthy or normal manner at the proper time, consult a physician in order to remove this abnormal condition. Any disturbance of the delicate menstrual functions during the period, by constrained positions, muscular effort, brain work and mental or physical excitement, is apt to have serious consequences.

CONTINENCE AND THE YOUNG ADOLESCENT GIRL

Continence is, as a rule more easily observed by the adolescent girl than by the adolescent youth. Ordinarily the normal young girl has no _undue_ s.e.xual propensities, amorous thoughts or feelings. Though she is exposed to the danger of meeting other girls who may be lewd in thought and speech, in the houses of friends or at school, she is not apt to be carried away by their example. Yet even a good, pure-minded young girl may be debauched. Especially during adolescence, the easy observance of natural continence depends greatly on the proper functioning of the feminine genital organs. These may be easily disturbed. The syringe used for injections, for so-called purposes of cleanliness, is in reality a danger. The inner organs are self-cleansing. Water or other fluids cast into them disorder the mucous follicles, and dry up their secretions, preventing the flowing out of some of Nature's necessities. A daily was.h.i.+ng of the inner organs for a long period with water also produces chronic leucorrhea.

WHY YOUNG GIRLS FALL

Lack of proper early training, abnormal s.e.x instincts, weak good nature, poverty, all may be responsible for a young girl's moral downfall. As a general thing, right home training and home environment, and sane s.e.x education will prevent the normally good girl from going wrong. It should be remembered, though, that a naturally more gentle and yielding disposition may easily lead her into temptation. Girls who are sentimentally inclined should beware of giving way to advances on the part of young men which have only one object in view: the gratification of their animal pa.s.sion.

The holding of hands and similar innocent beginnings often pave the way for more familiar caresses. Pa.s.sionate kisses--the promiscuous kiss, by the way, may be the carrier of that dread infection, syphilis--violently awaken a young girl's s.e.x instincts. The fact is that many innocent girls idealize their seducers. They believe their lying promises, actually come to love them, and think that in gratifying their inflamed desires, they are giving a proof of the depth and purity of their own affection.

Here, as in the case of the young man, self-control should be the first thing cultivated. And self-control should be made doubly sure by never permitting one of the opposite s.e.x to show undue familiarity.

Many a seemingly innocent flirtation, begun with a kiss, has ended in shame and disgrace, in loss of social standing and position, venereal disease, or even death. The pure-minded and innocent girl often becomes a victim of her ignorance of the consequences entailed by giving in to the desires of some male companion. _The girl who has a knowledge of s.e.x facts is less apt to be taken advantage of in this manner._

MODERN CONDITIONS WHICH ENCOURAGE IMMORALITY

_Excessive Freedom._--The excessive freedom granted the young girl, especially since the World War, must be held responsible for a great increase in familiarity between the adolescent youth of both s.e.xes.