GIRLS AND HOMEWORK.

Southland Times, Issue 19255, 20 June 1921, Page 2

GIRLS AND HOMEWORK.

To the Editor. Sir,---I am grateful to Anti Cram for bringing this matter to light as it has been the means of producing Anti-Grind’s telling letter, which deserves the thanks of every parent. I cannot speak as to High School facts, but it is a common practice to over-burden children with home-work at the public schools—l speak for a good many country ones—l and a good many others can testify. Anti-Grind tersely puts it in a sentence: “The infliction of unnecessary nervous and mental strain upon girls between 12 and 15 is a crime against the race for which Nature knows no forgiveness.” Girls, we are informed, should be early trained to fit themselves for their appointed lot as mothers of our future race, and yet at the most important time of their lives they are compelled to follow the prescribed routine of modern school life. This is the time in the life of most girls fraught with danger, and it is the bounden duty of the parents, when she sees her girl’s health is being impaired, by the overstrain imposed upon her, to shield her in every way, even at the expense of her education. Failure to do this may, and ofteh does, result in mortification, suffering and sometimes permanent injury to the maturing child. Our medical men can testify to this. Take a girl who is suffering from nervous strain caused by over school work; allow her to be freed for a short or lengthy period, as nature demands; let her go untrammeled by lessons, free to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and in nine cases out of ten, she will develop into a strong healthy young woman.—l am, etc., SAVE THE GIRLS.