The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1903-05-07
THE BOY PROBLEM
IS DISCUSSED
BY Marietta Lady in An
Able Manner. Their
Mothers Training.

1t was my misfortune to overhear q
conversation few days ago between
some ladies (mothers) that aroused my
Indignation and sympathy, l was at
the home of friend in not very dis
tant city, and those ladies had called
for hostess to accompany them to a
club meeting, Unknown to them / lay
resting in at adjoining hall and as they
waited for Mrs. P, could not avoid
hearing their conversation. Evidently
in continuation of topic under con-
sideration before their arrival, they
Immediately began TO expiate upon
the meagre returns which mothers re-
ceive for their anxiety and care of
rearing children. Their united con-
illusions were that while all children
are great trial, girls are by far the
most endurable. Such a revelation
was indeed foreign to my views and
feelings for despite all that | had pre-
viously known and heard of the shall
lowness of many of my sex, should
hardly have thought it possible for
these mothers to have been so in SYM
pathy regarding the most beautiful
and sacred office to which woman can
be called. 1t was pitiful to reflect on
the emptiness of such natures, and the
wOrthlessness of their lives. Is it any
! wonder that our streets are filled with
youths looking for CHEEKY and invit-
ing place where they can find the cheer
and comradeship that is denied them
in their homes? any wonder that the
demand of the commercial world for
honest, Industrious and reliable boys
far exceed the supply? that so many
young men have such low estimate of
female characters, and from selfish and
mercenary motives? If boys are not
always quite as quick of pei ception and
sensitive as girls. they are fully as APP
preciative and just as hungry for SYM
pathy and love; and they very soon
know whether they are one of their
first thoughts and interest. or whether
they are only tolerated. If boy
thinks all the world is in his home you
may be sure that home is illumined
with mother love; and that who cares
only for his home as place to eat and
sleep in, does not know what true
mother love is. 1t would be gloomy
outlook if such shallow minded, heart
less mothers as those mentioned above
were the rule instead of the exception.
But we all know that they are not, and
that in all ranks and conditions of life
the conscientious, self-denying and de-
voted mothers far out number the sell
fish and neglected. ones. The most
conscientious, we'll meaning and devot-
ed mothers are not always the wisest
ones. They readily comprehend that
no effort is too aIduous, no sacrifice
too great, which serves to keep tLeir
daughters near them, in the most COM
prehersive meaning of the term, in
confidence and in sympathy. But with
their sons they very strangely seem to
think such careful supervision unnec-
essary and their need of sympathy less.
1t rests far more with the mother than
with the father to mould and develop
the sons character during the most
impressionable period of their lives,
though the average father has little
appreciation of the extent or value OF
of his own influence in this. If the
father be the head and hands of the
family, the mother is the heart No
office in the world is SO honored as hers,
no priesthood so holy. no influence so
sweet and strong and lasting. Mother
love is the spirit of seIf-sacrifce even
unto death, and self-sacrifice is the
meas and drink of all true and pure
affection. The command: Children,
obey your parents" In this pregnant
fact of childish obedience lies the Sc
cret of his future perfect manhood.
Unselfish love in the mother, cheer
full obedience in the children, in what
ever home these forces are constantly
operated, that home cannot be fail
ure. And mother love is not of the
right kind, nor of the highest trend
unless it compels this obedience. The
assertion that affectionate firmness and
even wholesome chastisement is unnec-
essary with our advanced civilization
is specious and dangerous one. The
children Of today have as many rudi.
mentary vices as they had in the days
OF the patriarchs as general thing
they are inclined to evil from their
cradles. A good mother accepts the
hild as imperfect, and trains it with
pver ceasing love and care for its
! hghest duties. She should seek I
.waken their i1&ellect, engage IT,