The Survey, Volume 30, Number 3, Apr 19, 1913Various
History
The Survey, Volume 30, Number 3, Apr 19, 1913
Various
Charities -- Periodicals; Social problems -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals
When the course was over, there was a feeling of disappointment among
some who had attended throughout. Many others had dropped out because
they “could not give the time as they were not getting out of it what
they hoped for.” What did they hope for? The best answer is that when
the opportunity for written questions came, nearly all the inquiries
were “What shall I say to so and so when she asks so and so?” “What
should be said to a young man under such and such circumstances?” and
similar definite demands.
That was the point! People so often want absolute information on
subjects in which “circumstances alter cases!” No human being can tell
any other human being what he or she “should say” to a third person on
any subject at any given time. Each of us has to give of his knowledge
which is fed by his experience and modified by his temperament. We give
this knowledge (if we are wise) to whomsoever happens to need it in such
language as shall appeal to his knowledge, apply to his experience and
adapt itself to his temperament. We can not learn how to do that at any
lecture or set of lectures, and just as long as we expect it on this or
any other subject, we are sure to be disappointed.
The great importance of a right knowledge of sex is borne in upon social
workers daily, often hourly, on account of the many people they meet
whose lives are exposed to dangers which with either wrong or incomplete
knowledge they are not fitted to meet safely. It is frequently the duty
of the social worker either to supply the knowledge or help in the
situation brought about by lack of it. Often they feel unequal to the
task and become morbid over the sorrows brought about by ignorance and
their own inability to help matters. Lectures or books on sex hygiene
are advertised; to them they turn for assistance. All too often are they
disappointed, gaining no concrete knowledge of how to give an answer to
problems on their minds at the time. Likewise some people go to a
lecture or course given by some one who has been successful in
connecting his or her knowledge and experience and giving it out.
Afterward they come away thrilled and inspired and proceed to repeat
like parrots the words they have heard.
Bitter disappointment at the lack of interest on the part of the
audience is the result. I knew of some mothers who attended Laura B.
Garrett’s talks in Philadelphia, and came away eager to instruct their
children. In each case the result was wholly unsatisfactory. They tried
to reproduce Miss Garrett’s words, instead of simply getting knowledge
and suggestion from her talks. What they were imparting was not a part
of themselves, not their own, therefore not theirs to give.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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