CHILD CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24737, 14 October 1941, Page 8

CHILD CONTROL

TEACHERS' INVESTIGATION NEGLECT BY PARENTS PROVISION OF PENALTY URGED Some very pointed comment on the tendency of parents to allow children too much freedom, particularly at night, is contained in a report issued by the Auckland Headmasters' Association, following a detailed investigation into the activities of primary school children before and after school hours, and their bearing on non-attend-ance at school. The association suggests, among other things, that there should be provision in the Child Welfare Act to bring parents before the court, in child delinquency cases, to answer for their own neglect to control the children. The investigation arose out of the concern expressed by headmasters that, as a result of activities outside school hours, there was caused in the children over-stimulation, loss of sleep and lowered vitality, with a consequent disturbance of the normal progress in their studies. Employment of Children

The committee of investigation has no fault to find with the employment of children in set work before and after school, provided that: (1) The conditions of work are not prejudicial to the welfare of the children; C2) the hours are reasonable; (3) the children have sufficient sleep and proper meals; (4) their participation in games and healthy recreation is not unduly curtailed. "The inquiry makes it evident." it states, "that in the case of many children these provisions are entirely neglected." . , „,, ' The report states it was founa that, during the school week, when rest and healthy recreation are more than ever necessary, several thousand children regularly attend picture theatres, or gatherings of various kinds, and arrive home long after the time when they should, be peacefully asleep. "In the light of the statistics obtained," continued the report, "it is apparent that there exists among parents much lack of attention to the welfare of their children, due to; (1) ignorance of the laws of healh; (2) lack of knowledge of the dangers bese'tting young people when unprotected; (3) failure to exercise proper control over where their children go, and what they do; and (4) pure selfishness. " Because .of the neglect of parents to carry out their duty of controlling their children properly, delinquency often becomes incipient at an early age. It is, therefore, by no means uncommon for children of tender years to have to appear before the Juvenile Court for serious offences against persons and property, such as theft, breaking and entering, mischief, unlawful conversion of bicycles, cars and boats. Serious Responsibility "The natural protectors of children arc their parents, and the longer days of summer, the week-ends and other holidays, are times when the necessity for exercising proper control over their children becomes a serious and urgent responsibility. " The Child Welfare Act seems to give no power to bring the parents before the court to answer for their own neglect to control their children property. In Canada and some of the United States of America parents who neglect their responsibilities in this way are proceeded against. The offence is known as contributory delinquency. Some such provision should be added to the Child Welfare Act of this country."