Twelve mothers’ use of two mental-hygiene principles of child care

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TWELVE MOTHERS 1 USE OF TWO MENTAL-HYGIENE PRINCIPLES OF CHILD CARE

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Social Work The University of Southern California

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Social Work

hy Evelyn Marie Pickarts June 1950

UMI Number: EP66356

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P s ¥

T h i s thesis, w r i t t e n u n d e r t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t he candidate's F a c u l t y

C om m ittee and approved

by a l l its m e m b e r s , has been p r e s e n t e d to a n d a c c e p t e d by t h e F a c u l t y o f t h e G r a d u a t e S c h o o l o f S o c ia l W o r k in p a r t i a l f u l f i l m e n t o f the re ­ q u i r e m e n t s f o r t he d e g r e e o f

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK

Dean

Thesis 0/....JE1TSLYJJ..MRIE..PICMETS.

Faculty Committee

TABLE OP CONTENTS CHAPTER I.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . The problem

....••

1

• • • • • • • • • • • • « . . . •

2

Importance of the problem

. . • • • • • • • •

4

Organisation of the thesis • • • • • • • • • •

4

II. PRINCIPLES OP MENTAL HYGIENE IN TWO AREAS OF CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR ...........

5

Masturbation • • • • • • • • . • . « « . . . .

5

Hatred • III.

11

THE SUBJECTS, THE SETTING, AND THE METHOD

...

15

The subjects and setting • • • • • • • . . • •

15

The method

20

IV. THE ORIGINAL Q U I f ............... V. MASTURBATION

26

................

34

Mothers' beliefs and knowledge • • • • • • • • Definitions of masturbation Own child and the situation Observation of masturbation

54

. . . . • • • •

34

. • • • • • • . .

38

. . . . • • • •

38

Action taken

. .

41

Difficulties encountered • • « . . . . • • •

50

Mothers r childhood experiences

55

Religion

@0

Changes with subsequent children . . . . . .

62

Mothers' attitudes

63

Ill CHAPTER

PAGE Opinions regarding present methods • ♦ . • ♦

65

Changes in methods • • . • « « • • « . . . ♦

65

Usefulness of knowledge

68

Heed for help

. «

• * . • • • ♦

•

70

Interviewer*s observations VI.

HATRED

71 ...........

76

Mothers1 beliefs and knowledge « . . • • • « ♦ Definitions of hatred

. • • • • • . • • . .

76

Causes of hatred • • . • • . . • • . « . « .

78

Own child and the situation

....

79

. • • • • • . • • • .

79

Action taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

80

Difficulties encountered . . . . . . . . « ♦

84

Mothers 1 childhood experiences . . . . . . .

87

Observation of hatred

. ....

Religion • • • • • . • • • .

............

.

89

Changes with subsequent children . . . • • •

91

Mothers f attitudes • • • • • • . • • • • . . .

91

Opinions regarding present methods . . . . .

91

Changes in method

95

Usefulness of knowledge Need for help

• • • • • • • . . «

95

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

98

Interviewerfs observations VII.

76

.............

SUMMARY-AND C O N C L U S I O N S ........... Summary

100 104 104

Iv CHAPTER

PAQE Conclusions

BIBLIOGRAPHY

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................

APPENDIX A.

The Original Quiz

APPENDIX B.

Schedules and Case

.......... Histories

. . . . . .

122 126 129 131

LIST OF TABLES TABLE I#

PAGE Number and Percentages of Mothers by Age Group in the Total Group and in the Sample • • • • •

II#

17

Number and Percentages of Mothers by Number of Children in the Total Group and in the Sample • • • • • « • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

III*

Number and Percentages Showing Basis of Selection by Religion

IV#

• • • • • • • • • • • •

18

Number and Percentages Showing Basis of Selection by Education • • • • • • • • • • • •

V#

17

18

Comparison of Twelve Mothers1 Recognition of Masturbation in their Children and Methods of Dealing with It • .

VI#

.................. .

51

Usage Groups as Compared to Religion, Education, Age, and Number of Children

• • • • • • • • •

115

LIST OP FIGURES FIGURE 1#

PAGE

Comparative Scores on the Mental Hygiene Quiz of the Twelve Mothers Studied and Mothers Taking the Quiz at the Los Angeles County Fair in 1948 ...........................

. * •

50

INTRODUCTION The current emphasis on imparting the principles of dynamic psychology to parents, having as its goal better mental health for children, frequently raises the question as to how effective such education is*

The literature for

the education of parents is extensive; lectures, classes and study groups are available in many communities* The Nation­ al Congress of Parents and Teachers names education for parenthood as one of its goals* The ever increasing number of books and pamphlets written for parents and the many lectures and classes attest to the general belief that the mental health of children can be improved through the education of parents and that parents can use the knowledge gained in this manner*

The

extent to which parents use such knowledge and the effect it has on their actual behavior and attitudes in relation to their children is not known*

There are those vsho question

the degree of effectiveness of education in the area of parent-child relationships believing that it is primarily a matter of emotions and not particularly susceptible to change by an increase in knowledge* Statements such as the following are typical of those questioning the value of educational efforts in the field of

2 parent-child relationships: For a long time it was not recognised that education­ al effort of this type is by no means enough, that the problems involved in child training# as in all other interpersonal relationships, are only secondarily matters of knowledge, reasoning, Judgement and rational choice of activity* On the other hand, as we become increasingly aware, they are much more controlled by emotions and Instincts and, particularly, by conflict situations • This is especially true in situations in­ volving the parent-child relationships** Giving further confirmation to this latter point of view, Cedarquist in a more recent study along this line found that the nine "good1* mothers she studied had a happy childhood and were "natural, spontaneous women whose feelings were positive and could trust their Instinctive understanding to guide t h e m * S h e summarises as follows: Thus the (good) mothers were not the all-wise, allloving, and all-tolerant mothers of popular literature* Heither were they technicians in child-raising with their own emotions and methods well under control and with an intellectual understanding gained from books* They read the literature only to a limited extent, if at all, and made no offort to conform to it unless some idea particularly pleased them*3 I*

THE PROBLEM

This study was undertaken to determine to what extent ^Lawson G. Lowrey, M*D*, "Trends in Therapy," Ameri­ can Journal of Orthopsychiatry» 9:682, October, 1939* % e l e n T* Cedarquist, "The fGood Mother1 and Her Children," Smith College Studies in Social Work* 16:26, October, 1948* gLoc* clt*

twelve mothers who have participated in education in child care accept and use two mental hygiene principles in the care of their own children*

The principles chosen were:

(1) all healthy children masturbate before seven years of age; (2) children may hate their parents and siblings very intensely at times and still be normal* in determination of the extent of acceptance and use of these principles by Informed mothers, it was anticipated that some would accept the ideas Intellectually but would not apply them* or in part*

Others might reject the principles in whole

Therefore, the Inquiries were directed to de­

termine the basis for acceptance or rejection of the ideas and the difficulties, if any, encountered in application thereof* The original question arose from speculation as to what might be learned from the results of a quiz for parents given by the Southern California Society for Mental Hygiene at the Los Angeles County Fair in 1948* outgrowth of that speculation*

This study is an

The test results are dis­

cussed in Chapter IV in so far as they are related and pertinent to this study*

The principles selected were the

basis of two of the twenty questions in the original quiz* See Appendix A for a copy of this quiz*

4 II*

IMPORTANCE OP THE PROBLEM

In view of the conflict stated above, this study should be useful in analyzing the effectiveness and improv* ing the programs of those agencies working toward education and community organization for better mental health*

It

should add to the general knowledge regarding behavior and be useful to social agencies and child guidance clinics dealing with parent-child relationships*

Health departments

have long used pamphlet material for their clients in the physical area and more recently in the realm of emotional relationships*

This study may throw some light on how s.

effective this tool is in regard to parent-chiId relation* ships and especially with regard to those particular aspects having high emotional content* III.

O K G A N m T I O N OP THE THESIS

This thesis is organized in the following manner* First, the two mental hygiene principles are defined and the literature is presented to support this definition*

This is

followed by a description of the subjects, setting and method as well as the limits of the study*

The summary of

the findings of the original quiz, as they relate to this study, were obtained from an unpublished report of the Southern California Society for Mental Hygiene and are

presented in Chapter IV*

Chapters V and VI present the

findings on masturbation and hate, respectively, as they were revealed by the ease studies*

The final chapter has been

devoted to summary and conclusions of the study*

CHAPTER II PRINCIPLES OF MENTAL H2GI1NE IN TWO AREAS OF CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR The principles selected were (1) all healthy children masturbate before seven years of age and (2) children may hate their parents and siblings very intensely at times and still be normal* This chapter will be used to develop the definitions of these principles and present the literature from which these definitions were drawn*

Some of the literature

written especially for parents will be included in this review to demonstrate the variations in advice to parents as to the best methods of dealing with these two aspects of behavior* I*

MASTURBATION

The principle as stated in the quiz is Mall healthy children masturbate (play with their sex organs) before seven years of age * n

Masturbation is defined herein as the

act of touching or manipulating the genital organ to produce pleasure*

The manipulation is generally by hand, but the

child may manipulate the genital against an external object* The exploratory handling of the genital by the infant is included in this definition of masturbation*

It is a

7 generally accepted belief by specialists in child care that all children masturbate but may be stopped by a disapproving parent after the first attempts , and the child will then regress to an oral or anal level of pleasure seeking*

The

zones of erotic satisfaction start with the oral, progress to the anal, and then to the genital*

This is part of the

normal sexual development of the individual* In support of the above definition, some references will be cited*

English and Pearson say:

Masturbation is simply the act of manipulating the genital organs to produce pleasure* It is a universal and normal phenomenon to human growth and development* • • • A necessary phenomenon to satisfactory psycho** sexual development*1 Wolf writes, ^The causes of masturbation lie, for the most part, within the nature of the developing individual* Children find that handling their genitals gives pleasure in varying degrees*11^

Travis and Baruch? make the point that

most children do masturbate and yet "grow up healthy and well, that investigations show masturbation to be an almost uni­ versal phenomenon*

In a pamphlet especially written for

*0* Spurgeon English, and Gerald H* S. Pearson, Emotional Problems of Living * Avoiding the neurotic Pattern (New Y o r k : W * W * Norton & Co* ,1945), p* 80* ^Anna W* M* Wolf, The Parents1 Manual (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1947), p* 179* 3Lee Edward Travis, and Dorothy Walter Baruch, Personal Problems of Everyday Life (New York: D* Appleton Century Company, 19?l) , P* 184•

8 parents, the following statement Is made*

"All little chil­

dren do a certain amount of masturbation*

In its milder

forms, masturbation is not serious and is to be expected* A well known physician and writer advises parents, 11If you realize that this mild early Interest in sex is a natural part of the slow process of growing up, and that it occurs to a degree in all wholesome children, you can take a sen­ sible view of it*”® The universality of masturbation In young children is found, therefore, to have general acceptance by professional writers in the field*

No doubt, the cultural history of

attitudes of taboo surrounding masturbation has given impetus to the stress placed upon the fact that a certain amount of masturbation in childhood is harmless and that the dangers lie only in the way it is handled by the parents* The literature goes on to make recommendations as to what parentsf reactions to this behavior should be and to warn against certain common dangers arising out of adverse reactions*

"If the child masturbates purely for the sensory

gratification he gets out of it— then the best thing to do is to forget ail about stopping it,”® says one writer, and *Nina ftidenour, When a Child Masturbates (New York: New York City Committee on Mental Hygiene, 1947), p* 1* ®Benjamin Spock, The Pocket Book of Baby and Child Care (New York: Pocket Books, Inc*, 194677 PP* 296-7* %ravis, and Baruch, op* cit*, pp* 186-7#

9 "If masturbation is resorted to as a comforting device, cure does not lie in taking the comfort away*

It lies instead in

removing the necessity for gaining comfort artificially in this or any other f a s h i o n * A l l the written material warns against punishment, threats, or restraints*

It does, how­

ever, stress the fact that excessive masturbation is a sign of insecurity and inner conflicts which may lead to person­ ality disorders if not corrected* The ability to distinguish what is a normal amount and what is excessive is a frequent parent’s question* Wolf’s advice is more or less typical as expressed in this statement: "As for the parents’ role, the most important thing for them to know is that if a child is healthy, happy, interested in life, and busy with friends and other activi­ ties, he should be let alone and masturbation entirely i g n o r e d * W o l f 9 then goes on to make the point that this is a childish form of gratification which must eventually be put aside and that the parent must exert a mild but consis­ tent pressure toward relinquishing the practice*

The child

needs a "good” and understanding parent but one who is helping him toward growth*

To many this seems to be contra­

dictory advice* ^Loc* cTt* 8Wolf, op* cit*, pp* 180-81* 9Ibid.. p. 180.

10 Another source of anxiety for the parent is the frequent statement that the child will be affected by the cultural attitudes around him, within or outside the immedi­ ate family, and the guilt that this may arouse*

The

parent’s own emotional attitudes toward masturbation affect the situation, and this is described in the following quotation: Even though the parents do not threaten, punish or scold, the mere fact that they try to stop masturbation at all has its effects udiich are more harmful than the matter they are trying to cure* The child feels that his parents expect him to stop* Yet stop he cannot* The sensory gratification involved in the act is too strong* He feels he cannot live up to his parents1 expectations* He feels unworthy and lost* Anxiety, fear, hostility and the rest of the array all enter* If he manages to stop, he probably raises such strong barriers against sexual stimulation that these barriers last for all time* He finds it difficult thereafter to enjoy sexual experiences of any sort fully* Impotence and frigidity may? result *i0 Here is a warning against any attempts to stop masturbation, even Indirect and diversionary*

It is possible that these

variations are, in part, a cause of the confusion in the minds of some parents as to appropriate child care tech­ niques • Although the advice and warnings to parents in the matter of handling masturbation are extensive, they can be summed up as follows: 1*

Accept it as normal as well as the fact that all children masturbate*

*1 Q r — —

■" ■ * ■

Travis, and Baruch, op* cit., p* 186

11 2*

Ignore it unless it is compulsive and excessive*

3*

Avoid showing directly or indirectly that it is considered bad*

4*

Answer all sex questions honestly*

5*

If masturbation is excessive, look for reasons for tension or seek professional help* II.

HATRED

The second statement selected for discussion with the twelve mothers was ^children can hate their parents and siblings very intensely at times and still be normal*11 This principle has been given much less attention in the popular literature for parents probably because Its manifestations are more wide spread and not so easily recog* nized*

However, this part of human behavior also has a

history of cultural and religious taboos*

Hatred probably

takes even more forms, not recognized by parents, than does masturbation*

The causes are more varied*

The child's feeling of hatred Is an emotion expressed in many ways*

The hatred can be manifested in anger, rage,

attempts to bite or hit, physical attacks, verbal expres­ sions of hostility, defiance with bowels, or other refusals to conform to the training attempts of the parent*

If hate

is repressed, it may be expressed in fears, phantasies, and terror dreams.

Hate is directed toward siblings arising

out of Jealousy and rivalry for the love and attention of the parent, toward a parent for the exclusive possession of the other parent# turn again to the literature in support of this point of view, Hendrick says, The very small child hates every rival 1*10 receives any love from those who are nearest to him# While he loves mother and father, he hates father for possessing mother after baby’s bed time, and mother for talking to father instead of him# He hates at first the newborn child, 1&10 withdraws so much attention, and only later comes to love the little one# At about one year old, and for some time later, he has an insatiable urge to destroy and torture# A commonly recognized source of hate is the thwarting of the child’s immediate desires#

Less commonly known to

parents as a source of hate is n• # • the restraint of autoerotic and sadistic pleasures (cruelty, s o i l i n g ^ o ^ a ^

/

turbation, sadistic play, infliction of pain on siblings, etc.)”12 There are times when the child’s aggression and hostility are repressed and cannot be directed toward the object against which they are felt# He may become overly kind, for instance, to a small brother whom he hates# He may become overly admiring of a father whose sterness he cannot bear# Frequently, however, the child does not completely disguise the hostility# He lets part of it come out, but fears to direct it against the person who frustrates him, yet ^ IvesHendrick, Facts and Theories of Psycho Analy­ sis# 2nd* ed# (New Yorks Alfred A# Knopf, 1944), p# 48# 12 Ibid.. p. 156.

IS whom he Is supposed to love. PossIbly then he goes on a tear* He breaks a doll or pulls the legs off a toy animal* Possibly he goes out and pieks a fight with the first ehild he encounters* Possibly he gets furious with himself and feels wicked and m i s e r a b l e *13 English and Pearson, in a discussion of the psychosexual development of the child, describe his ambivalence* It can be said now that the child is faced with many opposing feelings* He can love and hate the same person at the same time* He can get sexual pleasure by hurting his love object* He can be passive in expressing his love; 1* e*, he can do things to obtain love, and can be passive in expressing his hate--l*e«, he can do things to obtain expressions of hate* He can get sexual pleasure from being hurt by his love object* Thus he is very amb ivalent•“ ^ The advice to parents on how to react to hate is more consistently the same than in the matter of masturbation* Isaacs states it concisely in addition to making clear the Important part this emotion plays in positive growth for the child. We can greatly increase the child1s hate and give it a hold over him by despotism or lack of thought and understanding; or we can lessen It by patient friendli­ ness and steadfast love. But we cannot rule it out altogether* The best-cared-for and happiest child will have his moments of anger, defiance, and destructive­ ness* Even if he hides them from us because they would displease us, they will be there underneath, tod with­ out some impulses to turn away from us, how would he leave behind his infantfs ways of clinging to his parents? How come to feel himself as an independent \S*J travis, and Baruch, ££. cit., pp. 35-6. 0. Spurgeon English, and Gerald H. J. Pearson, Common Neuroses of Children and Adults« (New York: W. W* Norton and Company, 1957), p* SS*

14 person, free to turn to thg social world and stand on bis own feet as an adult?15 The best handling by the parent to promote desirable development can be summarised from the literature as fol­ lows : 1*

Avoid despotism, condemnation and harsh punish­ ment as something that only prolongs and increa­ ses hostility*

2*

Give steadfast love and understanding*

3*

Through love of both parents, rivalry is dimin­ ished both in regard to parents and siblings*

4*

The child must have praise, love, and under­ standing in order to change the expression of his instinctual needs*

Susan Isaacs, The Nursery Years« (New Yorks Vanguard Press, 1938), p* §3*

THE SUBJECTS, THE SETTING, AND THE METHOD I*

THE SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Most research in regard to parent-child relationships has been done in connection with child guidance clinics and their clients who suffer from relationships sufficiently disturbed to bring them to such a clinic*

The subjects of

this study are mothers attending child study classes and, therefore, "normal and average" to the extent that they were not seeking individual treatment at this time*

These mothers

cannot be considered representative of the population as a whole because they are characterized by the fact that they attend study groups and are interested in learning what dynamic psychology has to offer as guidance in the care and training of their children*

It was known to the investiga­

tor that they had all received informationIn regard to the two principles to be discussed* The twelve mothers interviewedwere members of classes in parent education conductedby the investigator* They were selected from a total number of seventy-two class members who indicated their willingness to participate in such a study*

Each person willing to participate was asked

to fill out a card with her name, age, religion, number of

16 children, and year completed in school*

The sample was

chosen to represent each of these categories, and as nearly as possible, the percentages within the total group* The age range was from twenty-four to forty-six, and the subjects were divided into groups in their twenties, thirties, and forties*

The religious groups were Protestant,

Catholic, Jewish, and no religion* to four children each*

The mothers had from one

The educational range was from

completion of two years of high school to a Master's degree* For purposes of classification, they were put into three groups; less than high school graduates, high school gradu­ ates, including those with some college but less than an A* B* degree, and college graduates, including those with graduate work*

Fifteen percent of the forty-seven per cent

listed as high school graduates had had one or more years of college education* Tables I, II, III, and IV show the distribution with­ in these various categories in respect to tbe number and percentages of the total group, and the number chosen with­ in the sample to represent that group*

Individuals were

chosen who represented various combinations of characteris­ tics in order to encompass the entire range in the sample of twelve*

Percentages are given in round numbers* In addition to the limits already mentioned, to the

effect that these mothers are not representative of all

17 TABLE I NUMBER AND PERCENTAGES OP MOTHERS BY AGE GROUP IN THE TOTAL GROUP AND IN THE SAMPLE

AGE

Number Per cent In In total total ____ gr.QHP... ___ r a i .

Number in sample

Per cent in sample

.

20-29

23

32

4

34

50-39

37

50

6

50

40-49

12

18

2

16

Total

72

100

12

100

TABLE II NUMBER AND PERCENTAGES OF MOTHERS BY NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE TOTAL GROUP AND IN THE SAMPLE Number In total

1

35

50

6

50

2

28

40

4

34

3

6

7

1

8

4

3

3

1

8

72

100

12

100

Total

Per cent in total ---- group

Per cent in sample

Number of children

Number In sample

18 tabie h i number and percentages showing

BASIS OF SELECTION BY RELIGION

RELIGION

Number in total gromv.

Per cent of total

Number in sample

Per cent in sample

____________ -

37

50

6

60

Catholic

8

11

2

17

Jewish

17

25

2

17

None

10

14

2

16

TOTAL

72

100

12

100

Protestant

TABLE IV NUMBER AND PERCENTAGES SHOWING BASIS OF SELECTION BY EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Number in total Rroun

Per cent in total

Number in sample

Per cent in sample

___________

Less than high school

8

12

2

16

High school plus

38

52

6

50

Jfollage . ...

.J8S

36

4

34

100

12

100

TOTAL

78

.

.

19 mothers in that they were all seeking information regarding ehild care and training, there were certain other definite characteristics distinguishing them from the total popula­ tion*

They were all of the Caucasion race*

The economic

range included neither the very poor nor the very wealthy* Bach mother had at least one child between the age of two and five years*

Although the largest number had only one

child, a number of them were pregnant or planning to have more children, and the largest group having one child were still in the child bearing age*

Although several were the

mothers of adopted children, none of these were included in the final sample*

In all cases the parents were living

together, although in one case in the twelve the mother was married for a second time and the child was by a former marriage*

There was, therefore, a fairly homogeneous group

from the standpoint of economics, race, and family struc­ ture* The educational level of the group as a whole was high with thirty-six per cent having a Bachelor’s degree or above, and fifty-one per cent better than a high school education*

Among the professional groups represented were

teachers, social workers, nurses, bacteriologists, and an occupational therapist*

Many of the women had been gain­

fully employed prior to the birth of their children, but all were devoting full time to homemaking and the care of their

children at the time of the investigation II. THE METHOD The documents to be analyzed are case studies, done by the investigator, covering interviews with twelve mothers. In each case the interview took approximately two hours and was conducted in the home of the interviewee.

Appointments

were made in advance with the brief reminder as to the original explanation given at the time the woman agreed to participate in the study. At the beginning of each interview, the investigator again explained that this was a research project to deter­ mine what mothers thought of some mental hygiene teachings in regard to child care and how they migjht be used.

The

original quiz was mentioned and the mother asked to take the quiz.

It was not until after the quiz was completed that

the interviewer stated which two principles she wished to discuss with the mother.

The quiz was put aside and not

discussed as a whole or as to accuracy until the end of the interview. As a guide, to be sure that certain questions were answered In each case, a type of schedule was formulated for each principle, i.e., masturbation and hatred. this schedule is included in Appendix B.

A copy of

The interviews

were not of the question and answer type but rather based

21 on the case work method*

The material was divided into four

sections in regard to each topic; the mother’s beliefs and knowledge , her child or children and the situation* the mother’s attitudes, and finally the interviewer’s observa­ tions*

Two complete cases are included in Appendix 6*

These two cases were selected as representative of the wide difference in individual use of the knowledge* All interviews were started with a discussion of the mother’s beliefs and knowledge regarding masturbation*

Out

of a discussion of the first section as to what the mother thought masturbation was, did she believe all children mas­ turbate and why, she would almost invariably proceed to discuss her own child and frequently her own experiences* The discussion would then progress naturally to difficulties she might or might not have relative to putting her beliefs into practice*

Appropos of this, her own childhood experi­

ences and religious beliefs regarding the subject were a logical next step*

In many Instances the interviewee

brought these things put, especially the childhood experi­ ences, without any questioning by the interviewer* Frequently her satisfaction or dissatisfaction with her present methods was revealed in her discussion of the above facts*

The material regarding the effect of study,

reading, or lectures, what she had gained from attending classes, and what had been helpful to her was more generally

22 obtained through direct questions*

The following section of

an interview is recorded in a manner designed to show the process and method* Case of Mrs* A • Ages Twenty-nine years* Religion i Catholic * Childrens One male; 2 j g years* Educations Completed two years of high school* The interviewer told Mrs* A* about the quiz and explained that the present research project was being done to find outwhat somemothers thought of two of the ideas presentedhere* Mrs* A* was asked to take the quiz which she did* The two questions under consideration were an­ swered correctly, but she missed four others* Ho statement was made as to whether the answers were correct or not, and not until this time did the interviewer say which two ques­ tions would be discussed* Int*;

I see that you have answered yes to the statement that all healthy children mastur­ bate* I should like to get some of your ideas on this subject* Itfhat do you con­ sider masturbation?

Mrs*

I think it is touching and handling them­ selves to see what sensation they get and then going on to see what else they get in the way of feeling*

A s

Int.:

Do you

mean the genital organ?

Mrs* A* Yes, I do* Int •:

Do you think it is normal and that all little children do masturbate?

Mrs*

I don't know about all children, of course, but I think they do from talking with other mothers and from observing little children*

A s

Int.:

I wonder if you have any ideas as to why children masturbate*

23 Mrs* . :

I guess it is the sensation that makes them try further*

Int •:

Have you noticed any masturbation in your own child?

Mrs* . s Ho, but I have seen him handle his organ and make it pop up, and then he thinks this is wonderful.and laughs* Int •:

Bon't you think this is masturbation?

Mrs* , i

Yes, I guess it is in a small child. I have done nothing about it but draw his attention to" something else like a toy or a game* I know be will go back to it, but for the moment, it takes his mind off it*

Int.:

Gan you tell me why you do this?

Mrs* A :

I don't think it is harmful, but It could become more frequent if practiced* I think diverting him is best and I would never say anything about it*

Int.:

Bo you find it difficult in any way to carry out your beliefs?

Mrs*

No, I don't* I know other people who do not agree, but I am certain I am right* A neighbor, who is also a Catholic, says it is a sin but I do not agree and what she says does not affect me* I have a sister who is a nun and who says this, and everything else, is a sin, but I cannot agree with all these things being sins* I use common sense and I know right from wrong* 1 am not a good Catholic and I feel strongly that the teachings of Catholicism build up such a sense of guilt that by the time one becomes an adult one Is confused and unsure and feeling too guilty to know what is right and what Is wrong. My husband agrees with me on these things. He is a Catholic too but not a good one*

A s

(When asked about her pediatrician's opinion, her answer was that he treats the child's physical condition, and she has felt no need to ask him about problems in behavior)*

24 Int *: Mrs*

Do you remember masturbating as a child? : Yes* I knew it was wrong and stopped* felt very guilty about it*

I

(Interviewer indicated some surprise that she could view it as she does now) Mrs* , t

Oh, I have had plenty, of problems and even had a breakdown after my child fs birth* I was sent to a Catholic sanatarium and had six shock treatments but no psychotherapy, just lectures from the nuns so I kept my mouth shut and got out as soon as possible* I don't want my own child to have this sense of guilt* Everything is treated as a nystery by the Catholics, and they never explain anything* Some religion is good for a child, but I will not send him to a Catho­ lic school where these questions are not answered and sex is not discussed* In Catholic schools it is all religion and nothing else*

Int« :

Are you satisfied with the way In which you are handling masturbation?

Mrs* A i tip to this point I think I ’m doing pretty well* I don’t expect any trouble, but if masturbation becomes a severe problem, I would ask for help at school or some where else* Int*:

1/Vhen did you first give this subject some thought •

Mrs* A : IWhen I observed it in my own child and decided pressing would make for more and distraction would make for less— an idea I use for most things* I had attended no classes or lectures and only read in the Better Homes and Garden Baby book whieh said parents could expect it but didn’t say why or what to do about it* I didn’t start class until about five months ago* . Int*:

Has what you learned in class about mastur­ bation been helpful to you?

25 Mrs* A:

Yes* Since going to class I bought the pamphlet on masturbation, and the class dis­ cussion helped me to understand the situa­ tion* It has also made me feel good to know that I am doing right* (The rest of the interview was used for dis­ cussion of the question on hatred)

As demonstrated in this interview, once the mother started talking, considerable information was volunteered without direct questioning*

Although in each case there was

only one interview, this was generally true*

This probably

can be attributed to the fact that there was in all cases a relationship established between the interviewer and inter­ viewee through class attendance*

The majority of mothers

who attend these classes speak freely and seek help quite readily from the discussion leader*

Mothers who attend

classes in child care, as is always the case, come for a wide variety of reasons; but attendance is completely volun­ tary and no pressures on the individual which might arise from grades or credits in the usual school setting*

CHAPTER IV THE ORIGINAL QUIZ The quiz, which has been referred to in the preceding chapters, was one given at the Los Angeles County Fair in 1948•

The original purpose was to provide an attention

getting device for parents attending the Fair*

There was a

total of six thousand Individuals who took the quiz which indicates the wide interest among parents*

Although the

quiz has been criticized as not meeting all the criteria of good test construction, the answdrs as given have been agreed upon by a Jury of psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychii

atrlc social workers*i

A sample of two thousand was selec­

ted for tabulation by the Research Department of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Los Angeles* Only that part of the analysis which seems pertinent and related to this study is presented here.

As each of the

twelve mothers interviewed took the complete test before discussing the two selected principles, it can be shown how they compared in test results to the mothers who took the original quiz*

The two thousand answers Included fathers as

well as mothers, but in the analysis, a division was made by sex and then again by age group.

For the purpose of facili-

^ Report of the Mental Hygiene Study Advisory Committee•

27 tating analysis, the twenty items were divided in the following manner; Sex category#

items;

1#

A child is horn with a sense of shame*

2*

It is perfectly all right for children past six months of age to sleep in the same room with their parents*

5*

Healthy children start out by liking the smell and feel of their urine and bowel movement#

7*

All healthy children masturbate (play with their sex organs) before seven years of age*

9*

It is psychologically more harmful to give a child enemas and suppositories for constipation than a medicine to take by mouth.

10*

It is not necessary to tell a three year old child that his mother is pregnant because he probably will not notice anyway*

Training category* 4*

Items;

Thumb sucking satisfies an Important need for the child and should be permitted until five years of age*

6*

Toilet training should be begun early in order to discipline the child#

3*

A child should never be spanked*

28 12*

Bed wetting is usually a physical illness which requires medical attention*

15•

It is normal for little girls to be cleaner than little boys*

IS*

A child should be made to eat everything on his plate before he has dessert*

19*

When an infant cries it is best to Ignore it in order to build up its strength of character*

Relationship category* 3*

Items:

If a child shows no evidence of wanting to hurt other children, it is often a sign of emotional disturbance•

11*

At times children can hate their mothers and fathers or sisters and brothers very intensely and still be normal*

14*

It Is more important for a child to have a mother who loves him than to have a mother who has read all the best books on child psychology*

15*

If a child sees marital trouble between his parents, the best method of handling the situa­ tion Is to pretend it did not occur*

16*

It is wise to explain some of the procedure to a child before he undergoes a surgical operation*

17*

The mother is the most important person in the

29 child's life for the first three years* 20*

A three-year-old who will not share with other children is likely to he selfish all his life*

If the answers for the larger group of mothers Is compared with those of the twelve mothers, it is found ,that the latter are noticeably higher as to percentage of correct answers on each item*

See Figure 1*

The report of the

Study Committee points out that all parents, mothers and fathers alike, appear to have more information which results in better responses to the relationship questions than to the training and sex questions*

This is in contrast to the

test results of the twelve mothers studied, only two of whom made one error each in the sex category* them all correct*

The other ten had

Their next best score was in the training

category with seven errors for the group*

Their largest

number of errors was eight in the relationship category* Six, or fifty per cent of these mothers, had all answers correct on all items, four made two errors each, one made four errors, and one made five errors* The Committee's report includes the observation that, in general, younger parents showed a higher percentage of correct answers indicating they had more information especially in the training and sex categories*

In the

selected group, the greatest total number of errors, nine,

FIGURE 1 COMPARATIVE SCORES OR THE MENTAL HYGIENE QUIZ OF THE TWELVE.MOTHERS STUDIED AND MOTHERS TAKING THE QUIZ AT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR IN 1948 RELATIONSHIP

TRAINING

CATEGORY

100 90 80

50 40

96

30 20

10

ITEMS

1

9

10

4

6

8

12

13

18

19

3

11

14

15

16

17

20

MOTHERS TAKING THE QUIZ AT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR IN 1948 5

TWELVE MOTHERS STUDIED

09

o

was mad© by two mothers in the twenty to thirty age group. With only Tour women in this age group and the other two making perfect scores, no significance can be attached to the factor of age*

Much the same pattern occurs in the

other two age groupings as well*

Half of the thirty to

forty age group made perfect scores and the other three missed two questions each*

One of the two in the forty to

fifty age group had a perfect score and the other missed two questions*

Because of the small number of cases, it does

not appear valid to generalize as to age and knowledge in these cases* The only question on which there was any large per­ centage of error by the twelve mothers was number three, relative to a child never hurting other children, missed by 50 per cent*

This question had the lowest percentage of

correct answers by all mothers, 17 per cent, of any item although fathers were 42 per cent correct.

It is probable

that the wording of this question was misleading as in every ease, when its meaning was discussed, the mother in the selected group was found to agree with the correct answer. The remaining errors for the small group included six other items with not more than three missing any one question* Item number four, regarding thumb sucking, was missed by only one mother and she was in the forty to fifty age group* This contrasts with all parents who, on this question, had

th© smallest percentage of correct answers of any question in the training category with only 31*5 per cent of young parents answering correctly and only 24.4 per cent of par­ ents over forty answering correctly.

Question ten, on

explaining pregnancy to a child, was missed by one mother in the thirty to forty group.

The larger group showed

.3 per

7 5

cent correct responses for the younger group, with decreas­ ing percentages of 63#6 and 58*8 for the older parent groups. Both mothers and fathers showed a high percentage of correct answers with little difference between the sexes.

Items

nine, fifteen, and eighteen were each missed twice and by the same two mothers.

Number nine, on giving the child

enemas, showed a low percentage of correct answers for mothers of the larger group with the older mothers doing less well than the younger.

Number fifteen, on marital

trouble, had 70 per cent correct answers for all mothers with less for older groups.

Number eighteen, regarding a

child being made to eat everything on his plate, had a lower percentage of correct answers but no apparent significant difference in age groups.

Three mothers of the twelve

missed question thirteen, i.e., it is normal for little boys to be cleaner than little girls, and the larger group of mothers were 62 per cent correct with no significant dif­ ference In age groups•

This was the question with the third

highest number of errors made by the twelve mothers.

The

33 Advisory Committee report points out the jury did not en­ tirely agree on the correctness of this item* On items seven and eleven, regarding masturbation and *■

hatred, all mothers in the selected group had correct answers*

In marked contrast, the larger group had only

4 2

per cent correct answers by mothers and 41 per cent by fathers in their responses to the item on masturbation*

The

item stating children start out by liking the smell and feel of their urine and bowel movements shows the same contrast* These questions were both in the sex category where the large group of parents did the least well and the twelve mothers did their best* This contrast was not present on the item on hatred* Here again, the twelve mothers were 100 per cent correct and the large group had one of its highest percentage of correct answers*

This may indicate that parent education activities

have stressed the sex aspects in the belief that the great­ est lacks in Information were in that category*

In the

analysis of the Interviews, a search will be made to deter­ mine any significant differences in the actual acceptance of the two principles* In the following two chapters, an analysis will be made of the case material relating to the two principles* Chapter V will deal with the question on masturbation and chapter VI with hatred*

CHAPTER V MASTURBATION In every case the mother Interviewed answered the quiz item, “All healthy children masturbate (play with their sex organs) before seven years of age,” in the affirmative and, therefore, correctly*

It was found, however, that

there were differences in opinions, feelings regarding, and usage of the principle* I.

MOTHERS1 BELIEFS AND KNOWLEDGE

Definitions of masturbation*

In the matter of what

they thought masturbation was, there was very little differ­ ence among the majority in their manner of defining the term*

In eight cases the definition given was essentially

the same,i.e., manipulating, handling, or playing with the genital or sex organ for the pleasurable sensation it pro­ duces*

Here was a complete and adequate definition and,

probably, one that was derived from the study of child care* Three of the mothers indicated less certainty In regard to their knowledge of the definition when each included “I guessn or ”1 suppose11 in her statement that masturbation was playing with or handling the sex organ.

None of these three

included the statement regarding the pleasure or sensation involved.

In only one case did the definition indicate a

35 real laek of acceptance of the principle.

This was in case

number 6 when the mother said, "I think masturbation means abusing parts of the body, the lower parts of the body.11 This statement, through the use of the word "abusing", seems to indicate the persistence of the attitude that masturba­ tion is harmful and bad.

The latter part of the statement

shows a reticence about using definite names for the sex organs.

There is no question as to this mother's acquain­

tance with the terminology, but at no time during the inter­ view did she refer to either the genitals or sex organs. When asked if they believed all children masturbate, only five mothers spoke with eomplete conviction on this point even though they had all answered the quiz statement in the affirmative.

Five others said yes, they guessed so,

or supposed they did, or they didn't know but supposed all children did.

in case number 6, referred to in the last

paragraph, the mother said she supposed they did but she had never thought much about it before the subject was discussed in class.

The two remaining mothers said that although they

had never seen any masturbation in their own children, they supposed children must do so judging from what they had learned in class.

Of the five who spoke with assurance on

this point, three were from the group giving a complete and concise definition, but two were of those who spoke with less certainty as to definition*

36 When asked If they knew why children masturbate, nine mothers stated that they believed children masturbate for the pleasurable sensation they derive from it#

One went on

to explain that It might be increased or prolonged by ten­ sions the child felt because of feelings of insecurity; but made it clear that she thought It was done by all normal children to some extent purely for the pleasure produced# Two, numbers 4 and 9, spoke of curiosity as the factor start­ ing the masturbatory activities, and that tie child then continued it for the pleasure Involved#

One mother, number

5, said, "It starts because it is a normal response, and it is continued because the child finds more satisfaction there than in other parts of the body*" Of the remaining three mothers, the one who described masturbation as abusing parts of the body said, "It is a normal urge, I understand, and they are too little to know what they are doing," thus Indicating further her lack of real acceptance of the principle#

Another said, "I think

masturbation must be perfectly normal; the child does it when he is bored and he gets a pleasurable sensation#

I

donft believe they would do it if they had plenty of blocks to play with; children do it when they are alone, but cer­ tainly not when they go to the zoo or other places of recreation,” thus indicating her reservations regarding normality#

This was one of the mothers who stated she

37 believed it because she had been taught that children mas­ turbate and not because she had observed it in her own children*

The third mother in this group thought children

masturbate because ttthere is something missing in their lives

She was one of the group who had shown some inde­

cision in giving her definition by saying, wIt is playing with themselves, their organs, I guess•* It is found, therefore, that even when discussing beliefs and knowledge, and in spite of the yes answer to the question, certain cases revealed attitudes of rejection of the statement*

These mothers had all received instructions

in the meaning of masturbation but varied in their acceptance of the idea*

To summarize, eight out of the twelve gave a

definition consistent with the principles of dynamic psy­ chology with the others indicating doubt or rejection*

Only

five were certain In the belief that all children masturbate although five others thought they probably did*

The state­

ments of the other two showed no real acceptance of the Idea*

Nine gave pleasure and satisfaction as a reason for

masturbation, but the other three Indicated that it was evidence of a problem situation* Cases 6, 7, 10, and 11 were found to vary in more than one respect from the majority's ideas and beliefs which were generally in keeping with professional opinion* Further attention will be given to these cases in an attempt

38 to discover possible reasons for this* II*

O M CHILD AND THE SITUATION

Observation of masturbation*

Leaving the area of

definition and expressed beliefs, the next portion of this study deals with the findings in regard to the actual experiences of the mother and her own child or children* The first question in each case was relative to what mastur­ bation she had noted in her child*

The twelve cases fell

into three categories : those who had seen and recognised masturbatory activities on the part of their own children, those who had seen little if any or who had not recognized it as such, and those who had seen none and indicated no behavior suggesting it to the interviewer* Out of the twelve cases, seven mothers had observed and recognized masturbation in their own children* were cases number 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12*

These

Only one of

these said no in response to the interviewer fs first in­ quiry; but when she described an incident, and was asked if she didnft think that was masturbation, she said yes, she guessed it was in a small child*

In four cases, numbers 3,

7, 8, and 10, the mothers admitted having seen little, if any.

Mother nunfcer 3 said, "I have seen very little, more

on the part of the boy than the girls.

They will only

briefly handle their genitals.11 Mother number 7, as brought

out in the discussion of belief as to all children mastur­ bating, said she hadn’t seen it in her children.

Her doubts

are evidenced, however, in the following quotation.

”1 do

wonder a little about the girls sometimes when they are bathing, but think they must just be following instructions to cleanse themselves thoroughly.n

She described an inci­

dent reported to her about one of the girls ^allowing a dog to lick her genitals.”

She said,

She Is easily stimulated— wants to have her back rubbed and be tickled. This must be a sexual satisfac­ tion. The children all rock themselves to sleep— could that be masturbation? The boy does masturbate a little when he is nude but doesn’t when his clothes are on to m y knowledge. In case number 8, the mother did not think there was any masturbation.

She attributed the child’s occasional rubbing

of the genital to what a physician had described as an acid condition of the urine and due to irritation.

She said the

child may masturbate In bed but she has not observed it. Mother number 10 said, “When he takes his clothes off, he puts his hand there, but I ’ve never said anything about it. I think he might do It in bed, but I ’ve never actually caught him at it.11 This latter statement will be considered along with this mother’s direct statements as to what she does about it. Only in case number 11 was there a positive state­ ment that the mother had seen no masturbation and no

40 behavior described which suggested it.

This mother*s remark

was, "I have seen none at ail in any of ay three children.11 In looking back, it is found that this mother was indecisive in her definition and accepted the statement that all child­ ren masturbate only on the basis of her learning* Mother number 3 recognizes some, if only very little, masturbation and might better be considered with the group which recognized masturbation in their own children.

Cases

7, 10, and 11 are found in the above considerations as being undecided as to whether or not all children masturbate, number 7 as to why, and numbers 10 and 11 as to definition. Number 8 gave an adequate definition even though there was doubtful recognition of it in her own child. When characteristics on which selection was based are considered, it is found that of cases 7, 10, and 11, two of the mothers are over forty and one in the twenties.

The

older mothers have three children each and the younger mother one child.

The older mothers are both Protestants

and the younger Jewish.

The younger mother has less than a

completed high school education whereas one of the older has a high school diploma and the other an A. B. degree. is no common characteristic in all three cases.

There

Two of them

do represent the oldest age group in this study, however, and they both show several indications of doubt regarding the statements on masturbation.

This coincides with the

41 report on the general quiz in that this age group had the lowest percentage of correet answers on this item as well as in the entire sex category* Action taken* The next point for consideration pertains to what the mothers do about masturbation*

What

they do will be considered in relation to what they believe they should do as some follow a course of action that they do not necessarily believe is correct*

Bach case will be

presented relative to this because of the extreme importance of this particular point*

Groupings will be made in so far

as there are similarities* In case number 1, the mother had seen some masturba­ tion, diverted the child, and believes this the best method* WI have done nothing but draw his attention to something else, a toy, or a game*

I know he will go back to it but

for the present this takes his mind off of it*”

As to why,

”1 don’t think it is harmful but could become more frequent if practiced*”

It is evident that she is at least concerned

to the extent that it may become frequent or perhaps exces­ sive* Mother number 2 has observed masturbation in her child and shows the greatest acceptance of it of any of the mothers* This case is reported in full In Appendix B as representa­ tive of the fullest use of knowledge found in the total

42 study*

This mother says she has done absolutely nothing

about it although she has observed some masturbation for the past year and a half*

She saw very little infantile explor­

ation which she thinks may be due to the child being a girl* She had had instruction in the subject before she observed or recognized any* and in bed*

The child masturbates some in the tub

She was first aware of it when the child was

two and a half and had her first nightgown*

She says,

I did nothing about it, but have since made her pajamas although (with a laugh) I did wait until she outgrew the nighties. I still have enough feeling not to encourage it, but wouldn't go to any great lengths to put a stop to it unless it was the result of something like being put to bed too early— then I 'd remove the cause* This was the only case in which masturbation was recognized and the mother made no attempts, direct, or indirect, to stop it* Although mother number 3 reports that she has done nothing about masturbation, the chief reason seems to be because she has seen very little in her children and nthere has been no reason to.11 The children will "briefly handle their genital organs,fi but she doesn't know whether this is masturbation or not*

She said that If it were constant or

excessive, she would consult a doctor as she supposes "It might be physical or something missing in the child's life*" Later in the interview, she said, "It is no problem as the children rarely even touch themselves."

Judging from the

43 probable lack of recognition and no experience, it seems doubtful that this mother has anything more than a super­ ficial acceptance of the facts* Case number 4 presents two children and some mastur­ bation on the part of each but more by the girl of seven and a half than the boy three and a half*

The mother uses

diversion as a method of control and close supervision so that she m y divert them*

She is very conscious of any

masturbation and feels she does not handle it as casually as she should* Two different approaches to the child fs masturbatory activities are evidenced in case number 5* one used prior to class instruction and one following it.

Thip child "has

been doing it for a long time*” The mother does not remem­ ber at exactly what age it started*

The mother said, "I

was really very anxious until I started class and reading. She (child) has been very proficient at it*” During the period of greatest activity in masturbation, ”1 kept trying to divert her until she got tired of me*" approach was telling the child to

11E e e p

it isn't nice to have your dress up*”

The most direct

your dress down— She thinks her

anxiety probably got across to the child*

The mother says

she has relaxed recently and the child's masturbation is now confined mostly to bed time*

Other factors influencing the

mother's attitude toward less anxiety were the attitudes of

44 her sister and husband*

She thinks the masturbation is

closely related to her general management of the child and wishes that could be improved*

In this case in her earlier

treatment, the mother used diversion to such an extent that it possibly could be considered direct action*

However, with

her more relaxed attitude, the mother’s methods are permis­ sive or only mildly diversionary* (fSase number 6, mentioned several times above, showed the least acceptance and usage of the principle. one of two in which direct attack was used* said, WI push her hand away or say don’t. mood I ’m in*

This was

This mother It depends on the

If I ’m calm and rested, I may try to divert

them.” This mother believes that ’’the parts of the body are not to be played with and should be kept clean and healthy until grown up. do.”

Small children have lots of other things to

She believes she ^handled masturbation more severely’1

before she started learning*

Before then, she says she

’’never questioned the rightness of it” (methods of dealing with masturbation).

This mother showed guilt feelings,

anxiety, and indecision arising from the knowledge she had obtained, although it can be said that her methods were affected to a certain extent toward less severity.

This

case is included In Appendix B as a demonstration of the opposite of case

2

and showing the most narked inability to

use the knowledge available to her.

It cannot be said she

45 has learned as this woman shows limited understanding of what has been taught and a persistbhce of her cultural attitudes* v>

Mother number 7 thought she had done little, if any­ thing, as there had been no need*

She tells the boy it is

time to get dressed if he handles his genital while nude* This was the case where there was limited recognition as described above*

Her attitudes are quite clearly shown in

the following quotation*

She says,

If it were constant, I would think over- iqy home pattern to see what might be causing it as I do in the matter of bed wetting. I certainly wouldn’t speak to them about it* I would try to find out why, and I would find things to divert them such as reading if it were at bed time* I would try to give them no desire to do it* I ’d have them be more active and, therefore, more fatigued at bed time* From all I read there is no danger, but it just doesn’t seem to be a healthy thing to do. This feeling may be from my own background* If it were very much, I ’d seek help from a teacher or counselor* Of course, I think they all have to go through a certain amount of investigating*f In this case there is limited recognition of masturbation and a real lack of acceptance of it as a normal part of the child’s development.

If the mother saw any amount of it,

she would stop it by what she would consider indirect methods.

It is more than likely that these attitudes are

felt by the children* In case number 8, the mother first said she did nothing to stop masturbation but later said she used diver­ sion when she thought the child might be masturbating*

In

an isolated instance attributed to a physical cause by the

46 physician, the mother had warned the child in regard to irritating the genital*

She spoke of having stopped infan­

tile exploration before she had any knowledge from reading on the subject*

She recalled having known a child who

masturbated and who suffered from headaches*

If her child

did masturbate to any degree, the mother believes she would worry about the possibility of headaches*

She thinks that

if there was a lot she would look to m y general handling to see playmates, attention, or some serious If that seemed 0* K., I would discuss read, or I might lie down with her at her stories to divert her*

If she bad enough lacks in her life. it with a doctor, bed times and tell

Again, in spite of a yes answer to the quiz question, there was no real acceptance of the idea of masturbation as a normal function, but there was a change in method from that used when the child was an infant*

This mother only recent­

ly had heard of the concept of masturbation as a part of the child*s development,

and she mentioned it later in the

Interview as though she were giving the idea some considera­ tion* In case number 9, the mother described what she had done as there was a definite awareness of the child having masturbated*

She explained what she had done and why as

follows: I would try to get her busy doing something else— would ask what she would like to do* I let up on demands and restrictions to Improve things generally*

I

47 have always tried to be understanding. It (masturbation) was most apparent around two and a half and again around three and a half which were both difficult periods because of upsetting conditions in the home. This mother showed no evidence of anxiety or worry in her manner. Mother number 10 had noted only brief handling of the genital when the child was nude and said she had done nothing about it.

Then she went on to say he might do it in bed,

but she had "never actually caught him at it.

I donft think

I*d do anything about it as everyone says it is normal— unless he made himself sore.”

Two parts of this statement

suggest attitudes not directly expressed.

She uses the

words "caught him" which gives the impression she thinks it is something done surreptitiously.

Further doubts as to the

effects of masturbation are Indicated by the phrase "unless he made himself sore."

This child is a four year old boy,

and considering the fact that this mother was one of the ones deviating from the majority in the matter of definition and cause of masturbation, it is possible that certain of her attitudes have been imparted to the child without her recognition of the fact. Mother number 11, who was definite and positive in the statement that she had seen none in her children, said, There is nothing to do anything about. X would not have allowed it, I suppose, as I d1dn*t allow thumb sucking. If they had, I would not have scolded or

48 punished or threatened them, but I wouldn't have liked it and would have diverted them. This mother has a four and a half year old daughter and two adolescent children.

In the case of infantile exploration

and putting the hand on the genital, she quickly put diapers on them.

In this instance, there was a complete denial of

any observation of masturbation, but there is sufficient negative feeling expressed to account for it. The last case in the group studied, number 12, presents another Instance of direct attack on the problem. This mother,s reaction to masturbation is almost entirely an emotional one and she recognizes It as such.

One of her

children, a four year old boy, masturbates a great deal and she says, ”For the last six months it bas just driven me crazy.w ^here is a great deal of what the children call the "doctor game,11 looking at and touching one another in the genital area*

She says, "If they don't stop when I gp out­

side, after a little while, I say that's enough and start them on something else*11 The boy masturbates at nap times and sometimes at bed time.

The mother says,

I let it go generally, but sometimes I tell him to stop, I say it may make his penis sore and it is for going to the bathroom and that is that. I don't think this Is the best way to handle it, but It irritates me very much. I don't know just how far too far is. I feel it is okay up to a point and then stop it* Here is a mother who is confused and frankly anxious and uncertain.

Her reactions to the situation are not consis­

49 tent*

Intellectually she has grasped the meaning of some of

the theory, but by her own admission Is unable to completely put it into practice*

She may temper her methods because of

knowledge, but the material is not conclusive in this respect* It is found, therefore, that the reactions and methods of the mothers were wide spread.

In only one case

(number 2) did the mother recognize masturbation without question and do nothing about it*

In three Instances, the

mothers saw some masturbation and diverted the child believing this to be the best method*

In one of these cases

(number 8) the mother was uncertain as to the recognition of it but used diversion where she thought it migfrt be*

Still

another (number 4) had seen masturbation and used diversion believing it to be best but with some question about her own ability to do this casually.

In two cases (3 and 10)

the mothers had recognized very little if any masturbation and thought they had done nothing*

Another fs attitudes

(number 10) were expressed in such a manner as to suggest they might have been felt by the child.

One mother had

previously used Indirect methods of stopping the child and with considerable feeling, but reported she had changed and was leaving it alone* learning*

She attributed this change largely to

In only one instance did one mother say she had

seen none, done nothing; but recent Information seemed to be

50 causing some reflection although she still indicated she would be disturbed if she saw any and would probably divert the child*

In two cases, the mothers had been direct in

stopping masturbation, one with some doubts as to her methods and the other certain they were wrong but unable to do otherwise because of her own emotional reactions* Table V presents the mothers’ recognition of mastur­ bation as definite, doubtful, and none, and their handling of It as no action, use of diversion, or direct action. Only one combination, definite recognition handled by diver­ sion, repeats Itself more than twice.

One was definite

recognition with no action and one, no masturbation recog­ nized and no action* action as they saw it.

Two who were doubtful reported no Two who were doubtful used diversion

when they thought it might be masturbation.

And finally,

two recognized it definitely and took direct measures in controlling it*

Following the presentation of other

material gained in each case, an attempt will be made to discover any common factors In the background

of each mother

which might relate to the classification in which she falls* Difficulties encountered* As has partially presented in the case material

already been used to illustrate

the mothers 1 handling of masturbation, the next question for consideration is what difficulties, If any, she encountered

51

TABLE V COMPARISON OP TWELVE MOTHERS r RECOGNITION OP MASTURBATION IN THEIR CHILDREN AND METHODS USED IN DEALING WITH IT

e A

RECOGNITION

METHOD USED IN

Q O

E

DEALING WITH

OF

MASTURBATION

MASTURBATION

N TT U

M B E R

Definite Doubtful

None

Direct action

No action Diverslor

1

X

j

2

X

X

X *

3

X

X

4

X

X

5

X

X

6

X

X

7

X

S

X

9

X X

,

X

10

X X

11

X X

12

X

ssi

7

X X

4

1

4

6

2

52 in carrying out her beliefs*

In eight of the twelve cases,

the mothers reported they were having no difficulty in carrying out their beliefs* 9, 10, and 11*

These were cases 1,2* 5, 7, 8,

Of these eight, only three had reported

definite recognition of masturbation, cases number 1, 2, and 9*

Pour of the remaining mothers reported little, if any,

and one saw none*

In one instance, the mother thought she

was having no difficulty mainly because there was little, if any, masturbation*

She thought that if there were any that

her mother saw, she might encounter some opposition*

She

said, HIf my mother saw It, she would take his hand away and talk to him about It.

I would tell her it is normal, but

don’t know whether I could convince her or not*11 Consider­ ing this mother’s previous statements and doubts, there is some question as to this being her actual conviction, i* e*, that it is normal*

Another also thought she might run into

opposition from her mother if it were a problem*

Five of

the mothers had relatives or neighbors who disagreed with them in some respect, but indicated that they disregarded this and were affected in no way.

The mother who had

observed no masturbation had encountered no disagreement with her ideas except in the study group, but as she had seen none had not had to meet this problem* In the remaining four cases, three felt they had had some difficulty in carrying out their ideas either from the

53 outside or within themselves*

One was dissatisfied with her

own reactions, and was certain that if any masturbation had been observed by her parents, she would have been affected* They had been "shocked” by it in another grandchild*

She

said, "I'm inclined to take other people's attitudes rather than my own good sense*”

In each case, other than this one,

there was known agreement between husband and wife or, at least, the attitude on the part of the father that child care was the mother's responsibility and she knew more about it than he*

In this case, the mother did not know what the

husband's attitudes were as they had never discussed it* The mother who reported a definite change in her methods, from indirect pressure or diversion to leaving it alone, attributed this change to class study, reading, and to her husband and sister who is a psychologist*

She also reported

that she felt some anxiety arising out of the attitudes of her neighbors which were those of condemnation*

Of the two

mothers ifoo had taken direct methods toward stopping mastur­ bation, one believed she had been influenced by the attitudes of the neighbors*

The other believed that part of her

difficulty was due to uncertainty as to what was right*

She

said, "I want to do the right thing but don't always know what to do.”

Others cause her to wonder if she is right, but

she didn't think her handling was actually affected*

This

was the mother who attempted to stop all masturbation* The

54 one who admitted being influenced by the neighbors and friends said, "Possibly I worry about what may be considered our moral standing*11 She worries about what the neighbors may say, but has "tried to keep it open and tried to keep it from being done on the sly* 11

Her husband did the same ex­

cept for one incident when he became irritated and told the child it was "bad•tT This mother, however, considers her own emotional reactions to the situation her primary difficulty in carrying out her intellectual acceptance of the idea that masturbation should be left alone*

The only cases, there­

fore, in which difficulty was reported in carrying out ideas were those in which there was definite recognition of the fact that the child was masturbating*

In two of those

stating they had no difficulty, any increase in the amount of masturbati on would constitute a problem as far as the effect of the opinions of others were concerned* Excluding the case in which there was no observation of any masturbation, it is found that actually in nine cases the mothers were carrying out their beliefs which might be leaving it alone, diversion, or direct intervention*

In two

cases where treatment was inconsistent with beliefs, the mothers thought they should leave it alone; one was not completely successful and used diversion and the other was unsuccessful to the degree that she used direct methods of stopping it at times*

In two cases, although the mothers

55 expressed belief in leaving masturbation alone, there was little recognized, and it is doubtful that they would have maintained this belief In the face of any greater amount of masturbatory activity* Mothers y childhood experiences»

In regard to the

mothers1 own childhood experiences, it is found that six of the twelve had some recollection of masturbation or some type of sex play experience with other children*

In each

case, the mother reported having extreme guilt feelings and worrying about it*

They described their feelings with such

statements as **I knew it was wrong and stopped— I felt very guilty about it” and "I remember worrying and crying about it under the covers at night,” or ,fI felt very ashamed, I wanted to stop and finally did*”

In three of the six cases,

parent action was recalled, but the other three did not believe their parents were aware of It*

In two cases where

parental intervention was remembered, It was quite drastic* One (number 4) recalled she told her mother of some sex play with: other children and said, "I can still see her flying across the street*

I was looking out the window and feeling

very bewildered about it all*'1 In the other case (number 12), the one in ifoich the mother reports the most difficulty in carrying out her beliefs, is found the most distinct memory of parental action and threats*

This mother said,

56 I very clearly remember masturbating in my own childhood. A girl taught me and her mother caught us and reported it to my parents. They had fits, didn't spank me, but said that under no circumstances was I ever to take down my pants for anyone. They said I'd get sick-they scared me and stopped me somewhat , but not com­ pletely. She thinks she was about four or five years of age at the time of this incident but is not sure.

In the third case

where parental action was recalled, the mother remembered only one instance at fourteen involving sex play with another girl.

Her mother caught them, brought her indoors

but said nothing.

In contrast to this case the others

reported masturbation recalled when they were younger.

This

was a single incident remembered by this mother. None of the twelve mothers received any sex instruc­ tion from their parents.

Five of the total group saw a

relationship between their childhood experiences and either their attitude toward sex in their children or their own adult sexual adjustment.

Two of them, one who recalled

masturbating ard one who d M not, believed their parents reactions had caused them to be frigid and have considerable difficulty in adjusting to a marital relationship.

The

cause, in the case where no masturbation was recalled, was due, the woman felt, to her grandmother's explanation of menstruation as something unclean.

She did recall her

father spanking her for running nude into the room where he was and described him as "very modest.1* The other case was

57 number 12, described above.

This mother saw a clear connec­

tion between her attitude toward masturbation in her child and her own childhood experiences*

She said in speaking of

these experiences, "That is probably why it (masturbation) irritates me so •11 Another mother related her childhood guilt feelings, not so much to her handling of

her own child which was one

of recognition and mild diversion,

but to the fact that she

had a "nervous breakdown" following the birth of her child and received sanatarium care with shock treatment*

There

was no parent Intervention mentioned in this case, but emphasis was put on the teachings of (Shthollcism, the church to which she belonged* Another of the five, in speaking of her dissatisfac­ tion with her present methods, brought out the fact that her own childhood experiences and consequent guilt feelings were probably the cause of her inability to be as casual as she should in regard to sex in her

own children* The fifth

mother was the only one to see

the connection in a positive

sense*

She felt her upbringing in this respect was very bad*

She was told nothing and given no explanations*

"There is no

excuse for my making the same mistakes with my child," she said • Of the six mothers who remembered no childhood mastur­ bation of their own, one has been discussed above because of

58 the relationship she saw between family attitudes and her own sexual adjustment*

Only one of the remaining five

definitely stated with any certainty that she thought she had never masturbated*

She said, “I don’t believe I did, as

my mother would have made a point of it*** This was case number 3 where the mother had seen practically no masturba­ tion in her own children; and although her stated belief was to do nothing about It, there has been mentioned some ques­ tion as to the firmness of her convictions*

In-the case of

the mother who had seen no masturbation in any of her chil­ dren, there was no recollection of any on her part either* The only statement she made indicating any awareness of sexual feelings in childhood was, "I do remember feeling ny breasts once with satisfaction and then feeling very guilty about it.”

Family attitudes are probably suggested by this

statement*

In one case the mother remembered her brother

being caught masturbating, their mother putting him into a tub of cold water, and a great deal of emotion surrounding the incident *

She recalls rone of her own however *

This was

a case where the mother is aware of her own child’s mastur­ bation and uses only mild diversion* In the two remaining cases, the family situation was described as one of extreme reticence in regard to sexual matters*

Mother number 10 said, ,fI was brought up to feel

ashamed of the nude body and everything was very hush-hush•”

59 This mother has seen very little masturbation in her child and done nothing, but again there is considerable question as to whether or not she could maintain this attitude in the face of any greater amount.

Mother number 6 said,

In my home we never discussed sex and my mother never told me about menstruation. They were an old country family and that was their way. I was never a curious child. She remembered no masturbation, sex interest, or curiosity in herself.

She recognizes masturbation in her own children

and uses direct methods in controlling it as is her belief. Although the largest single group, four, were those who remembered their own masturbation and recognized it very definitely in their own children, the next largest group, three, remembered none of their own but had seen it in their children.

Two who remembered their own had seen little in

their children and two who did not recall any had seen very little in their own children.

The one case where none had

been seen in the children remembered none of her own. If the mothers recalling masturbation of their own are considered in relation to age group, education and religion, it is found that in the age and education cate­ gories they are represented in the same percentages as they are within the total group.

The only deviation is in re­

gard to the religion of the mothers studied.

In those

recalling their own masturbation, one is a Catholic or half of the Catholic representation Just as those remembering is

half of the total group*

One, or half of those with no

religion, Is also found In this group*

The Protestants with

four have better than half, whereas neither of the two in the Jewish group are found In this category*

With the next

point to be considered, the possible effect of religion on the mothers* attitudes toward masturbation, possible causa­ tive factors may be revealed* Religion*

One of the categories used in the selec­

tion of the twelve cases was religion and the subjects represented the total group from which they were drawn by the following divisions:

S i x ,

o r

half of the group, gave

their religion as Protestant, two as Catholic, two as Jewish, and two with no religion*

Actually the Catholic group in

the entire number made up the smallest percentage, but with only twelve cases it was necessary to divide them in this manner*

Although one mother listed her. religion as Catholic,

the interview revealed that she was no longer a member of the church and rejected much of the church* s teachings *

One

of the Protestant group was found to have been reared a Catholic but had relinquished her religion at the time of her marriage* Only four of the total group said that they belonged to a church and attended regularly.

There were two Protest-