Comments on: “Self Abuse” and “Self Destruction”: Frank Talk in Relief Society, 1927 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/ Where our past is never very long ago Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:34:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: SilverRain http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-58882 SilverRain Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:45:51 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-58882 I find it interesting that they mention that frequent, healthy, mixed-gender interaction helps to properly channel the drive for sexual urges.

So different from much of the cultural discourse today.

]]> By: Ardis E. Parshall http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49785 Ardis E. Parshall Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:15:56 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49785 Moniker, it’s a folk belief (or at least a threat repeated by generations of adults to children) that masturbation will make you go blind.

]]> By: Moniker Challenged http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49784 Moniker Challenged Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:04:38 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49784 #17 Well, since I still haven’t had “the talk” I got no idea what you’re talking about.

]]> By: Steve C. http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49748 Steve C. Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:58:57 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49748 When I read this I couldn’t help but imagine a group of little old ladies filing out of the RS room giggling with each other. :-)

I agree with the sentiments alraedy shared that we could use frank discussions in Priesthood/RS on the subject of sexuality. We avoid and water down meaningful discussions.

I’m actually not surprized with this post. Given that during the 1920s the RS saw itself in part as a Progressive Era social organization (a number of RS leaders had worked at Hull House), it would seem part of its mission to address issues of sexuality.

]]> By: Mark B. http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49745 Mark B. Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:36:26 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49745 A slightly unfortunate choice of metaphor there, Moniker. One must be so very careful never to use any variation of the word “blind” when talking about this subject.

]]> By: Moniker Challenged http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49737 Moniker Challenged Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:47:14 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49737 Hmm. Apparently my great-grandmother was in bed with pneumonia the day this lesson was taught, because all the women in my family, down to myself didn’t even have Frank to talk to and were completely blindsided by puberty and its consequences. I guess that’s what they invented encyclopedias and schoolyards for?

And I had supposed everyone else in those days suffered the same, shoot.

]]> By: Mina http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49610 Mina Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:41:49 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49610 This is a very thoughtful and balanced discussion. Tolerant, informative and reassuring with an emphasis on gentle correction instead of the fear and hysteria I’m sorry I was treated to in my early MIA discussions of such topics.

I can’t answer your question, B.Russ, about how to account for what seems to be a puritanical shift in the discourse within Mormonism, but the frank and open tone of this article reminded me a lot of the pre-code films of the thirties. Those are always amazing social documents which treat sexual issues and social ills in startlingly compelling and sympathetic ways.

]]> By: Clark http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49599 Clark Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:13:03 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49599 I think this type of material would be a welcome addition to the bland diet typical of 3rd hour meetings. While jks (#5) points out that members today are better educated and have better access to resources, I still believe that there is real value is discussing actual “how-I-did-this-with-my-family” stuff, and doing so with others that share your general values and outlook on life.

I say, bring it back!

]]> By: n[r]2 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49523 n[r]2 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:35:20 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49523 I can’t imagine the word masturbation ever being used in our RS. The roof would fall in for sure.

]]> By: J. Stapley http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2011/02/21/%e2%80%9cself-abuse%e2%80%9d-and-%e2%80%9cself-destruction%e2%80%9d-frank-talk-in-relief-society-1927/comment-page-1/#comment-49510 J. Stapley Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:19:45 +0000 http://www.keepapitchinin.org/?p=10130#comment-49510 I’ve seen a number of references in the first third of the 20th century regarding the responsibility of RS to provide sex education. This however is the first actual document I have seen on the topic. I’m actually pretty impressed with the openness of it all.

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