BEARING THE CHILD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6631, 9 June 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

BEARING THE CHILD

•ALTERNATIVE METHODS. OLD VICTORIAN MODEL. LONDON, May 19. How should you bring up your child? Mould him or her according to pattern? Or develop the individuality given by a kindly Mother Nature? The question, always a serious one with the parent, has come to the fore as a result of the statement of a sphoolmistress, at the opening of the Weston Birt School for Girls, that the school was a 1928 version of the Victorian model where deportment was so important, and that it was hoped to,develop a womanly type instead of the manly typo of girl so common today. “Tho olden habit of moulding all children on the same pattern was deplorable. I know it because I suffered from it.” This was the comment of Queen Victoria’s 80-year-old daughter, Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll. She added that nowadays individuality recognised. There are other society leaders old enough to remember their Victorian upbringing with concern. ,

Lady Southwark, author of Social and Political Reminiscences, says that in her youth girls who were not taught to earn their living and to acquire independence often found themselves in later life reduced to circumstances without their own resources. Girls were compelled to learn music, singing, and painting regardless of their own wishes or aptitudes. Parents frowned on higher education. They would have considered it dreadful for a girl to want to become a doctor. The modern system of allowing children to develop their individuality was far more sensible. “Nevertheless," says Lady Southwark, “there should be moderation even in the modern girl’s freedom." Lady Erleigh, daughter of Sir Alfred Mond, deplored the old-time repressions, which cramped children’s especially girls’, minds, and made Sunday the most miserable day of the week. “It is said that children had a bad time then, and that parents have a bad time now. Still I prefer the present system because the children benefit. One hears less about naughtiness because there is less reason to be naughty. They are not suppressed by endless rules and regulations. I am glad that the old restraints of my childhood re going out, but, mind you, I am in favour of a little salutary discipline. Children, especially girls, must learn to face life’s facts."