WELFARE OF THE YOUNG

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21360, 13 June 1931, Page 4

WELFARE OF THE YOUNG

TWO HELPFUL GUIDES " The Management of Young Children.” By William E. Blatz, M. 8., Ph.D., and Helen Bott, M.A. London: J. M. Dent and Sofia. (10s 6d net.) " Boys In Trouble: A Study of Adolescent Crime and Its Treatment.” By L. Le Mesurler. Introduction by Alexander Paterson, M.C., Commissioner of Pensions. London; John Murray (6s net). “The most important task which children have to learn is to live with others on a basis of mutual satisfaction,” say the authors of “ The Management of Young Children." And the most important task of the parents or child welfare officers is, it naturally follows, to train the child’s mind so that he or she can do so. In this volume a philosophy of child training is presented which assumes that the child is learning throughout life. A constructive programme is outlined which begins at birth, anticipates the difficulties that lie in the path of the child and indicates the tnanper in which mistakes, where they have been made, , may be corrected. Emphasis throughout is laid on positive as contrasted with negative discipline, but it is stressed that the parent should endeavour not to force the child to do what is wanted, thus encouraging dependence, but to train and direct it so that it will come to accept full responsibility for its behaviour- Rule by force, the commonest form of the authority of restraint, is, the authors say, a lazy and easy method of control, which gives rise to rebellion, but they condemn even more roundly rule by love —“ Here the intention is by appeals to the child’s affection to bring his action into line with the parent's wishes. This seems to us the Unpardonable- Sin in the sphere of family relationships. It does violence to the child’s free feeling of love for the parent by turning it to some ulterior purpose. Such constraint cripples the child’s capacity, for independent action, and it must finally destroy the childparent relationship,' which can only be happy when free and spontaneous. This method of control' is the more difficult to combat because it clothes itself in subtle forms. ‘Do this for mother’s sake.’ * Don’t do that if you want mother to love yofi,’ are crude expressions, but merely a look or the withholding of a look -—may ,convey to the child quite as effectively the same idea.” The, previous book by these Canadian authors, “ Parents and the Pre-School Child,” was recognised by educational authorities as of great value to parents and teachers. In it the chief concern was the establishment of desirable habits in the control of appetites and emotions, and “ The Management of Young Children ” takes us a long step further, developing the principles of social adjustment in the pre-school years. To each chapter is added a clinical case history, but the work must not be assumed to be merely an academic treatise, the intention being to assist parents in their daily life with, and day to day training of their children. / In her latest publication, “Boys In Trouble.” Mrs Le Mesurier confines herself to the restricted field of the study of adolescent crime and its treatment, a subject upon which she, as leader of the voluntary women workers af the London Boys’ Prison, is well qualified to discuss. These women interview youthful offenders (aged 16 to 21) who have been committed to Borstal institutions for reformatory punishment. With the aim of assisting in a competent analysis of character being made, that the flaws in their environment or character might be judged. The voluntary workers number 20, and in a year pay some. 2000 visits to boys in prison, some 1000 visits to homes in and about London. The nine years in which “ sentiment has been subordinated th common sense, and disappointmenthas been balanced by vision,” have provided valuable material for this sincere, helpful book. The author does not hesitate to state what, in her opinion, should be done in extension of the voluntary work now undertaken, and suggests that activities are hampered by a penny-wise Treasury. She emphasises that the work should he carried out not in the prison atmosphere, but at an observation centre; that it costs only about £5 a, year to supervise .! lad on probation for one year, and nearly £IOOO to support an habitual criminal for seven years detention. This work should interest social workers in New Zealand, and may suggest ways in which the excellent voluntary prison work being undertaken in the Dominion might he extended. M'G.