Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-27
WHY Girls Go Wrong.

That the daughter of million ire has
eloped with coachman Is in the daily
prints as regularly as the accounts Of
the sea serpent. That the daughter Of
the best family has welded worthless
fellow is talked about in every village.
and town. and city as universally rs the
international Sunday school lesson.
That girls like bad boys best, and that
they will forsake father and mother,
friends and bring desolation TO the
hearts of all. rather than denounce a
dssolute fellow. are facts too patent to
require proof. What is the cause of this9
In well-to-do families the girls are spar
ed every effort and deprived OF every
opportunity to exercise their will
power and constantly grow up wholly
unprepared to exercise their judgment
decision and action. The sentimental.
poetic. delirious period arrives. The
emotional nature. under the stimulus
OF awaking faculties. now becomes SUI
preme and the girl is wholly under its
control. IL this neglect OF her intellect
ual and volitional nature is the cause.
then the remedy is readily suggested.
Let her intellect be exercised like that
OF her brothers. Let her study math-
ematics. history. government science.
Try to make her sensible instead of
accomplished. Feed her mind on strong
sensible thoughts of good books and do
not starve it on the slop Of the fashion
magazine and sensational novels. Give
her something to do that will require
judgment, decision and stability of
purpose. Expose her to the hardships
of child-life ather than shield her from
them. There should be no difference
in girls and boys life until they are
ten years OF age. She ought to be the
equal Of her brother i'm out-of-door
sports. Until they are fifteen years of
age they ought to have the same train
ing in school. As much ought TO be
expected from her as from him. After
that time their education should differ,
according to their different spheres of
action.
A true affection is an anchor to char
acter, and if girls life were securely
anchored at home she would not so
easily be driven out to sea. The father
rather than the mother. is or can he n
favorite with the daughter If father
wishes to fortify his daughter against
folly. let him retain her love and con-
fidence. Not simply respect and esteem
but love. And TO do this he must feed
the love of the child until that love
rpens into the genuine affection Of
woman. Many fathers deceive them
selves. They think their daugh-
ters do love them. They will
think this when they cannot
remember ever to have had
confidential interchange of thoughts.
aspirations and secrets. such as we have
only with those we love and fully trust
They cannot rememb Der when they had
caress or ANYTHING but formal kiss;
and yet they think their daughters love
them. Does your daughter reveal her
heart TO you? Does she really enjoy
being with you? viii she forsake the
society of others TO be with youP IL
your daughter has loved you from in
fancy and found in YOU that true friend
that she ought to find. do you think that
she will forget all this and 60 contrary
to your wishes? She will not fall in
love deliberately, and her father. who
has her confidence. can counterfeit the
leading if convinced that she has made
q mistake in her choice for life.