PROBLEMS OF YOUTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20626, 26 July 1930, Page 20

PROBLEMS OF YOUTH.

THE GIRL OF TO-DAY.

NEED OF UNDERSTANDING /

"In such a work as ours, there is need for a large understanding of girls and their requirements and problems," states Miss Jean Begg, general secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association, in the forty-fourth annual report of the association's activities lo lie presented at the annual meeting on Monday evening. "The girl is growing up when she comes to us and our task is lo see her adjusting hersell to each level of growth as she ionics to it."

Speaking of adolescence. Miss Regg said that the awkwaid age. the boycrazy age, the. >hy age, the chiv.ihous age. all happen in front, of om eyes. "It is. perhaps, inescapable,"' she adds, "that adolescence should be a time ol surprises and even of drastic adjust ni'-'ul s. lioth for the girl and those who feel iesponsible for her wellaie Rut the excesses of 'flaming youth,' winch strike, fear to the hearts of so many parents, aie not inherent or inevitable. Many unfounded fears on Ihe part of parents and youth leaders, and many ol the difficulties, into which adolescents I,ill, are due to confusion and lack of understanding ot the essential elements T)f healthy develop-

uient. Miss Begg emphasised ilie tact that a gtvl to-day cannot be shut oft from the world; she must glow toward something. The Y.W.C.A.'s job is to combine wiili the home and the Chuich to help girls grow into whole women—women whose latent abilities have been given a chance to grow, whose capacity for abundant living and informed citizenship makes them an asset within anv honia or community.

Speaking of I lie ideal of the \ .\\.U.A.. Miss Begg said that it was that of arousing the girls to care about a larger pari of the world than that in which they live, and about a greater variety ot human relationships than the lktle circle in which they move in their own home. Iso it was that ui the Y.W.C.A. is a policy of World Fellowship—and it never fails to widen their vision, and to shake the girls from selfish preoccupation to a high minded solicitude for the welfare of other peoples Miss Begg further states in hei report that during the year the Y.W.I .A. has extended its work to the industiial gitl, to a development of uood voluntary leadership, the opening of avenuxs ol service in sport, and a deepening recognition of the spiritual values of life by the whole membership. Touching upon another matter. Miss Begg states that there is scope for a charitable bequest in the shape of a home foi indigent gentlewomen, where many really tine characters could be relieved fiom the harrowing anxiety of insufficient means. With regard to unemployment, she states that young women in Aui Hand have been faced with many problems in the tin employment field during the past. Within the association's membership many gills have been out of work but every effort has been made to preserve each girl's self-reliance and self-confidence. Regardless of membership, Miss Begg estimates that during the year an attempt has been made to find employment for 190 girls, and 140 have been placed in positions. Where necessary, girls have been given free board, equipped with warmer clothing. i.nd x sent off in good heart to new positions.