ID# 815:
"Summary of the discussion at the conference on education and eugenics"
Date:
1937
Pages: (1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8)
Source:
American Philosophical Society, AES, 57506: Am3

&quote;Summary of the discussion at the conference on education and eugenics&quote;

[page number] -2- [end page number] (6) Athletic instruction and instructors who have a great influence on attitudes towards health and hygiene and the development of proper recreational habits. Dr. Holmes pointed out that the most important aspect of all these new developments is their effect on the formation of attitudes favorable to family life and parenthood. The development of a balanced personality, and what might be called a high emotional I. Q. is even more important than the development of a high intelligence I. Q. Dr. John Brown. Jr., Secretary Physical Education, Y. M. C. A. New York City, opened the discussion on Dr. Holmes' paper. Dr. Brown spoke of the primary importance of teaching eugenics to youth so that it would be included among the ideals of the next generation. New research in eugenics is of little value unless its significance is spread. He spoke of the importance of sports to education in values, both as respects values of physical fitness and with respect to idealism in the relation between the sexes. Properly directed sports should have a special value in developing proper attitudes and understanding between boys and girls. Mr. Lawrence K. Frank, Assistant to the President of the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation, asked what are we trying to do in teaching? Are we striving for a mastery of subjects or are we trying to develop a selective awareness concerning curiosities, interests, and aspirations? If it is this latter group of qualities we are trying to develop, then we must constantly bear in mind the value of esthetic experience in developing permanent attitudes. Freedom to have children does not mean only economic freedom, but also freedom from emotional confusions. In teaching, the important thing is not to teach facts about sex and reproduction but to teach the possibilities of using our whole sex complex in proper relationship to a useful life. We propose to teach knowledge of family life; it should be a teaching of how to use family life and traditions, to free people from distortions, fears, and confusions. In woman's education especially, we are forced to recognize that the present emphasis on intellectual achievement may be a great handicap to women who are trying to develop their normal feminine roles. To the Greek concept of a sound mind in a sound body, he would add - "with a wholesome, mature, and non-conflicting personality." A crisis has been precipitated by birth control. From now on the bearing of children will have to be an affirmation of man's beliefs, and expression of his trust that somehow life is valuable. We have not yet begun to grasp the importance of this crisis. The answer is not an intellectual one, but one of faith. Professor Joseph K. Folsom, Department Economics and Sociology, Vassar College. The development of personality is affected by competition and rivalry which are conspicuous features of our school life as well as of later life. Social rivalry is at present affecting the birth rate. Teaching should not stress the motivation, but of cooperation and personal growth. At this point Dr. Stearns raised the question of whether the Conference was not getting away from the teaching of eugenics which was to be the subject of the morning session, and Dr. Holmes spoke of the use of books and discussions on the development of personality of boys and girls which are being used

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