The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-01-12
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
Overindalgence Of Parents.

One Of the most serious matters
nowadays in connection with schools
Of every kind, whether it be the
grammar school or the college, is an
unwiilingness on the part Of the pu-
pills 20 yield 90 the authority Of the
teacher when their desires conflict
with the regulations Of the school and
the wishes of the teacher. Though il
does not in al cases amount 10 open
naturalization OK rebellion il is suf-
7 Acieutly faE reaching 10 greatly affect
. The efficiency Of the teacher. We are
OF opinion that this state Of affairs
Is due more 90 the parents than the
children themselves. 4 spirit Of ex-
cessiye Indulgence has taken hold Of
our people aud the youngster IL allow
cd far greater liberty both at home
and abroad than in the days when his
father and mother were school chill
dren.
Perhap, .n these days the situation
went 90 the other extreme aud the
child was little handicapped at
times, out if this be true the needle
bias now swung FAR 20 the other side
wish the production Of unfortunate
results. Iu the old days when the
boy received a chastisement az school
le found another awaiting him at
home now if teacher has the temer-
lty o. apply the rod he will have a
posl-haste visit from the father the
next day, eager 20 ayenge the injury
and injustice which DE claims has
been done his sou or what is per-
aaps worse. Die has 90 meet the lashes
of the mothers tongue well charged
with bitterness.
We are not especially advocating
corporal punishment but we are try
ing 90 illustrate the tendency OF the
time and the parents zeal in taking
a.s eh.li'- part no matter what may
oe DIS oleuse
Nothing is more disastrous TO the
successful conducting Of a school of
amy kind than this pamlyzing Of the
teachers authority. When the child
is satisfied that bis parents will back
hm and that they are ever ready 10
take his part against the teacher, you
may Dee sure Die is going 20 test his
immunity 90 the limit and will 90 10
extremes unless be IS suddenly
elked up When teacher has mark
ed pupil absent or tariy or given
zero Tor bad recitation, IL il most dis
-oumg.Dg Co say the least % have an
excuse brought from the parent Of the
most trivial sind OF oftener no ex-
-use az aii but the simple request
.Aat DE bee let OIL because the parent
desires IT,
OF course there are eases Of injustice
ODD tle part0f those in authority but
such injustice is the exception not the
.lie. and a parent should be well sat
SIZED chat Injustice has been done be-
0re Doe takes the matter up. The one
rho suffers most in the long run il
he pupil himself lie fails TO get the
choolug that De is expected TO ac-
lure for the reason that he will ne
.essar.ly become lax in the perform
.uce Of bis regular school duties and
Ina..y leave school having learned
bat little except that he can defy au-
aoriy.
This i. a matter well worth earnest
consideration aud we submit II with
confidence chat If the parents will
tudy this question aud look back 10
lc.rown school days they will come
o the conclusion that they are not
Icing right by tine schools and, what
81 of more Importance 10 them, by
heir OVID children