Mary Scharlieb

Youth and Sex: Dangers and Safeguards for Girls and Boys Mary Scharlieb

Publisher Marketing: Probably the most important years in anyone's life are those eight or ten preceding the twenty-first birthday. During these years Heredity, one of the two great developmental factors, bears its crop, and the seeds sown before birth and during childhood come to maturity. During these years also the other great developmental force known as Environment has full play, the still plastic nature is moulded by circumstances, and the influence of these two forces is seen in the manner of individual that results. This time is generally alluded to under two heads: (1) Puberty, (2) Adolescence. By Puberty we understand the period when the reproductive organs are developed, the boy or girl ceasing to be the neutral child and acquiring the distinctive characteristics of man or woman. The actual season of puberty varies in different individuals from the eleventh to the sixteenth year, and although the changes during this time are not sudden, they are comparatively rapid. By Adolescence we understand the time during which the individual is approximating to the adult type, puberty having been already accomplished. Adolescence corresponds to the latter half of the developmental period, and may be prolonged even up to twenty-five years. Contributor Bio:  Scharlieb, Mary Dame Mary Scharlieb, (1845-1930) was a pioneer British female physician in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At age 19, she met William Scharlieb. It was love at first sight for both of them. Their marriage took place in December 1865 and the couple sailed for India almost at once. She became one of the first four women students at the Madras Medical College. In three years she gained her Licentiate in Medicine. She began her private practice after returning to England, where she lived and practiced for nearly forty years. She obtained her M. D. and the Master of Surgery degree. She also worked as a Gynecologist. After her professional appointments were finished, she continued in her private professional work and her "leisure" time was devoted to public works and to speaking and writing F. Arthur Sibly, M. A., L. L. D. authored the second part of the book that was written for boys and young men. His contribution to the book was originally intended for the eyes of parents, scoutmasters, and other adults. Over time, he received hundreds of letters from boys and young men. These letters confirmed in every way the conclusions set forth in this book, and proved that the need for guidance in sex matters is acute and universal.