Messenger reported that Inis Beag had no formal sex education, and sexual intercourse was treated by both sexes and the local curate as a "duty" which must be "endured." Messenger proposed that the institutionalisation of repression of sexual conduct was due to early replacement of physical affection with verbal affection by the time a child can walk. He stated that "any forms of direct or indirect sexual expression—masturbation, mutual exploration of bodies, use of either standard or slang words relating to sex, and open urination and defecation" were "punished severely by word and deed."
Messenger reported that Inis Beag had no formal sex education, and sexual intercourse was viewed by both genders and the local curate as a "duty" which must be "endured." Messenger proposed that the institutionalization of repression of sexual conduct was due to early replacement of physical affection with verbal affection by the time a child can walk. He stated that "any forms of direct or indirect sexual expression—masturbation, mutual exploration of bodies, use of either standard or slang words relating to sex, and open urination and defecation" were "punished severely by word and deed."