aby is brought into the world by an action analogous to
the action of the bowels. The third theory, which is perhaps less
prevalent than the others, Freud terms the sadistic theory of
coitus. The child realizes that his father must have taken some
sort of part in his production. The theory that sexual
intercourse consists in violence has in it a trace of truth, but
seems to be arrived at rather obscurely. The child's own sexual
feelings are often aroused for the first time when wrestling or
struggling with a companion; he may see his mother, also,
resisting more or less playfully a sudden caress from his father,
and if a real quarrel takes place, the impression may be
fortified. As to what the state of marriage consists in, Freud
finds that it is usually regarded as a state which abolishes
modesty; the most prevalent theory being that marriage means that
people can make water before each other, while another common
childish theory is that marriage is when people can show each
other their private parts.

Thus it is that at a very early stage of the child's life we are brought
face to face with the question how we may most wisely begin his initiation
into the knowledge of the great central facts of sex. It is perhaps a
little late in the day to regard it as a question, but so it is among us,
although three thousand five hundred years ago, the Egyptian father spoke
to his child: "I have given you a mother who has carried you within her, a
heavy burden, for your sake, and without resting on me. When at last you
were born, she indeed submitted herself to the yoke, for during three
years were her nipples in your mouth. Your excrements never turned her
stomach, nor made her say, 'What am I doing?' When you were sent to school
she went regularly every day to carry the household bread and beer to your
master. When in your turn you marry and have a child, bring up your child
as your mother brought you up."[20]

I take it for granted, however, that--whatever doubt there may be as to
the how or the when--no doubt is any longer possible as to the absolute
necessity of taking deliberate and active part in this sexual initiation,
instead of leaving it to the chance revelation of ignorant and perhaps
vicious companions or servants. It is becoming more and more widely felt
that the risks of ignorant innocence are too great.

"All the love and solicitude parental yearn