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Otago Daily Times, Issue 26614, 10 November 1947, Page 4

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The Daily Times

Is Parental Authority Declining?

On this subject there was a strange diversity of opinion, some people deploring trends which were deemed wholly desirable by others. All, however, thought that we are passing through a difficult period which should be safely weathered if a sane outlook and high ideals are retained. A School Teacher said: I think parental authority is more slack thai it was. There is a sort of artificia non-constructive discipline which carries no weight. My complaints arc these: Parents are apathetic, do not put forward a positive viewpoint, dc not check up on where their children have been, do not- notice if they are worried 1 , make no attempt to direct their amusements, and. lastly, give no care or thought to making home life attractive and interesting. Further more, there is a lot of dishonesty. Children bring things home and no 'questions are asked. What sort of training is that for any child? Certainly outside influences, such as films and radio, make life more complex for children, and more understanding from parents is called for. Some of the children who are not disciplined at home are amenable to discipline at school. Teachers do try to be a good influence in these cases, and have accomplished much, but we feel that the foundations of good citizenship, such as respect for the property of others, respect for older people, and selfrestraint should be laid in the home.” A Bible Class Leader said: “ On the whole, I don’t think parental discipline has declined. I find that the young people in my charge have a very high regard for their parents. I know that • they discuss many of our subjects with their mothers and fathers, and I feel that a very friendly relationship exists between them. Of course,-we sometimes strike the type of parent who expects the Bible class leader to exercise discipline where he or she has failed. I find that children of a poor type are generally following in their parents’ footsteps.” A Modem Mother asserts that people who think that parental authority has declined are projecting their own inability to cope with the present-day social set-up, or to control their own families She feels that the parent-, child relationship is the most stable thing in existence. ‘

“ Grandma ” exclaimed: “ Declined' It certainly has. I know my grandchildren are thoroughly spoiled, though I wouldn’t like their mother to hear me saying this. I think that parents these days have too many outside interests too many amusements, and too much sport. They haven’t time to take an interest in their children, who, after all, should be their chief concern.” Grandpa feels that in his day there was more obedience from children an obedience, nevertheless, that was exacted through fear, as the “ rule of tbe cane” was the order of the day. This inevitably led to quite a bit of deceit to avoid punishment. “Parents to-day, he declared, “are real friends to their children, and I think this—with sport and other harmless amusement, such as films—has contributed largely to the undoubted decrease in lamkinism. It is a fact that 50 years ago there were organised gangs at every second corner, and you would see far more drunken young fellows in the streets. It was not safe to go out alone at night.”

.4. Clergyman stated: “Our complex .civilisation, with all its technology in industry, facilities of transportation and widening of education, with a consequent, desire for personal expression, has immensely disintegrated h01 ?e life. The modern father and mother, m my opinion, are not measuring up to the standards of parenthood essential to the building up of good citizenship. I think that the indifference to the sanctity of marriage, co-rela-tionship of the sexes, a general revulsion against p.iiritanical home life, the immense develomrent of athleticism, and. too many entertainments are not conducive to the stability of home life. All have a disintegrating effect. This city, with the other large centres, is rotten, and I regret to say that many of the victims of the present-day social set-up blame lack of parental control for their plight. I guarantee that 50 per cent, of the homes in Dunedin are unhappy.”

A High School Teacher said: “Well I do not think it has declined. The pomL is this—years ago parents were too strict in a narrow sense, whereas now .they give their children more freedom for their own actions and opinions. Social conditions have changed, and I think that in most cases this new freedom develops selfreliance and individuality. The average child is obedient. There are always people who will find fault with the present day. A thousand years ago there, were parents who had no control over their families, and there were the same old critics deploring this state of affairs. All the same, I would like to add that I have noticed a certain lack of responsibility in both parents and children. This is probably, due to. post-war conditions and other inevitable changes in our way of life.”

A High School Boy said: “Thirty years ago, I believe, the thought of answering back did not come readily to the adolescent mind. Now, without intending disrespect, we question a thing and let our own nersonal opinion decide what is right or wrong. Undoubtedly parents are more lenient in some ways. Adolescents are allowed out at nights much more than was at one time considered proper. Then, parents had to be treated with some outward semblance of respect. Nowadays parents think nothing of being called familiar names or their Christian names. Parental authority in the old autocratic sense is certainly declining, but this is being replaced by comradeship and a better understanding on both sides.” His Father thought it opportune to add that, as this particular boy was sick, parental authority was operating successfully (against opposition) in keeping him away from school, and he felt safe in saying that this same strange power (although allegedly declining) would soon be keeping him in bed.