New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-11

THE MODERN FATHER.
1t is matter Of common agreement that the
lather mas some share which though underlined is
stil important. but that he is not working at II
| as much as he used to as much as he should
| Is matter of fame" saws Walter l..
Hervey, in The Mothers Journal"
'HoPkinson Smith QUOTED by Kate Douglas
| Nlggih speaks Of that left wing OF the family
guard which generally manages to retreat during
any active engagement leaving the command to
the Inferior officer This left wing is imposing on
all full dress parades but when there IS any fight
Ing to be done it retres rapidly to the rear and
only wheels into line when the cmoke OF the con-
| hi't has passed out OF the atmosphere
We smile at this because the thing is true. II
Is picture Of life; we have seen it. We have per-
haps been il. That there are extenuating cir
cuInstances no one deny. Modern civilization
has given the father hard lines There was a time
when he was an important member Of the house
hold, when he had certain definite and recognized
powers and duties with regard to children and
when the cares of this world the deceitfulness
Of riches and the complication OF institutional
civilization did not come between him and his chill
dren as they do.
The history Of civilization has been history
OF the looping on by one. of the prerogatives
and powers and possible sources Of influence OF the
male parent. The old-time father was father,
teacher, priest, judge, all in The modern father
Is scarcely even father. Our forefathers were
in very palpable sense the heads of their
respective families. No one could have called them
the left wing But now business methods have
changed the old home methods and much of the
childs training is left TO the schools.
The father is busy that he must neglect
something. and he negIects the children. The
mother does not want to spoil the little time the
father has with them by leftover punishments
training that can be postponed
1T is certainly rare enough to be interesting to
have father come to the kindergarten asking that
he be taught 10 play the part Of the father bird
and sitting down in the ring then and there for
his lesson What IS the fathers place? What IS
the part Of the father bird IN the game family?
What is the proper division between the father and
the mother. and between the father and other
educatve agencies? Is there in the division,
or is It matter OF circumstance? Are there
probabilities that Of right belong TO the family
and not 10 the school. and TO the father and not
10 the mother?
These are the questions we are TO try to answer
under the head OF compsuionshIp. instruction,
training and punishment, example and ideals OF
life And under each head we shall consider not
merely what the share IS hut how the work may
best be done. II has been taken for granted that
education IS not identical with schooling; bu-
that by education mean that continuous process
OF nutrition. instruction, guidance training and
that continuous play OF influences whereby the child
is helped TO become member Of society, whereby
ne the heir Of all the ages Is made 10 upon
his heritage. whereby he finds himself and learns
how to live. present his twenty-first birth
day. II the character Is unit your influence must
is continuous growth you must be in at the plant
ing. or, at least grating time. AS between the
mother and the father, IN the chllds infancy. the
mother seems 10 have things all her own way She
certainly has the first inning She. better than any
one else, can supply the child's first wants. both
Of body and Of spirit. But this paternal allegiance
is but temporary The fathers inning comes IN
due time. and then he should not fail to come 10
the bat. The father who expects his children 10
own him as such on general principles commits
psychological bIunder.
The notion father in the child's mind is a
growth; It has a beginning: It have definite
materials OF which to feed, and these materials
IN the first instance things the father does with TO-
for the child EtymoIogically father means
isher and protector just mother means maker,
former. Il Is long while before the child
understand the higher forms OF this nourishment
and protection. so if the father would speak to
build up the concept father in his mind from the
beginning, he must sometimes feed. battle and
dress the child. put him 10 bed and cultivate bed
time condolences and regularly play and associate
such privileges the father enjoys in common
time Even the most untaiented father viii ind If
he try that he has some peculiar ability precious
make it the Foundation Of great reputation More
-ca- 49, - 49, - e. - -a+--a 49, -
ternaI than maternal.
Outdoor sports-tranps hunting nuttiug, wading.
Swimming 6oatingEtne vari0us trades and oeeupaI
electricity seem naturally TO belong in the ratneTs
bailiwick They were at least so classified by the
electricity and such things? oh, mothers. doat
know about such things: fathers are the
tell about those things II is the duty and
privilege of both parents take the boys, and the
girls. TOO. II they want 10 60 everything OF
the kind in the neighborh5od and elsewhere when
opportunity offers.
The schools viii take care OF good deal OF
this. 10 be sure more than they used TO- less than
they should; but not enough, by any means. Ana,
besides inasmuch IS the parent has the advantage
over the school. why does he not make the most OF
it, There always has be 6rst time for every
thing the remark Of ITishrnan 10 when
I told him my viewing the operation OF
a
time when the bloom is still on the peach. is the
best time. Il is the parents prerogative 70 enjoy
Il with the child wherever possible
The child never forgets such things, and do /
they not form close bond with the parent