The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-16
The Boy of the Family.

Detroit Tribune
There is always one member Of every family
who comes In for q large snare of sympathy
whom his case is understood, which unhappily is
rare. The boy of the family is too often bug
bear of his sisters and the torment of his pa
rents.
When he was younger his prsnks were laughed
at and bis infsntie msdemeanors readily par
doned because he was expected TO assume innu-
merable virtues with his first pair Of trousers
From amusing child he suddenly becomes
regular boy whom no one takes much inter
est IN except 20 sc0ld on all occasions for his
faults, real and imaginary. until he often be-
come sulleu and surly from force of habit
There is no reason why . boy should not receive
the same delicate consideration that is bestowed
upon his sisters. His instincts are less gentle,
il is true. but he may DO made quite as refined
IN his habits and correct in his morals IL he
learns the lesson from his childhood by being
admitted TO the friendship of his sisters, instead
Of being compelled to seek his associations and
his pleasures among rough companions.
The boy 10 never invited to share those little
condolences which Of such common occur
renee between mother and daughters. No one
to hear an account Of the game he enjoy ed
so much TX he attempted TO relate il be would
be listened to YEARLY, or reminded that such
sports are OF no interest to girls. He therefore
must find his friends among boys of his own
age. and If he goes to the bad il is often
count OF the neglect which too many mothers
and sisters are guilty OF.
A boy is inclined TO be boisterous teasing and
even rude to girls. he knows they don't like
him and il is to show his resentment that he
makes himself disagreeabls. The girls retslia,e
By stunning him and tell their mother constant
~ OF all Jacks or Harrys peccadoss until ne
becomes thoroughly Impressed with q sense of
his own wrongs 1t 10 then that he hsrdens bis
heart against home Influences. and though he
may afterwArd relent, the golden opportunity
will have passed. for he Is never SO susceptible
to the gentle touch OF sympathy as before hav-
ing come In contact with the rougher elements
he meets in those years of practical isolation.
Does IL ever occur to girls that their brothers
would be grateful for little attention on their
psrtl 1t gives the boy better opinion OF him
self when his sisters show that they set some
value upon his company by asking him to meet
their friends. The best side of his nature will
respond when kindly interest is evinced to-
ward him. A boy reared under the influence of
q careful mother and affectionate sisters differs
from one who has been deprived of these assoc-
atoms IN many respects He has . higher regard
for womanhood because he has had in his daily
life many glimpses of the noble attributes of
truly good woman. Constant association with
mother and sisters makes him careful in his
speech and gentlemanly 10 department.
American children are remarkably precocious
and their Young minds soon become imbued
with q sense OF their own Importance. While =
hid ia Young enough to be cute" he is spoiled
| by over-indulgence. When he ceases to be
gagnR. at ten years OF so. he has become selfish,
| forward and self willed He is disaereeable, IL
| is true, but could you expect him to be other
| wisel Some mothers think that good manners
| can be slapped into boy at every whipping
Such treatment IL wrong. Make him Under
stand what is expected of him from the begin
ming. 1t is not half hard to teach him that he
| cannot be his own master at two years of age as
1t is at ten 1t is easier TO teach child to share
| his sweetmeats in babyhood than to break him
| of selfishness when 1t has become a part OF his
nature a dozen years later. All this demands
| constant watching the part of the mother.
Don't coddle him. He won't stand 1t II he Is the
| right sort. Don't ''tie him to your apron
strings Let him De manly and self reliant but
| keep eye him. his pursuits and his friends
| Let him feel that you are proud OF him. No
average boy will GO astray If he has this kind OF
treatment at home