Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-06-25

While numerous representatives OF
American boards of education are tour
ing in England for the purpose Of study
ing her schools with a view 10 obtnin-
ing suggestions that may be turned to
practical value here II distinguished
English Sociologist aud economist Alfred
Mosely, who once cond ucted an English
survey of American schools is at pres
ent in New York city. 4 reporter asked
him the other day what he thought of
American children, and he replied,
There are no children in Americn"
Mr. MosCly is more of n snciologist
than an epigrammatSt. and he went
carefully into an explanation of his re-
mark.
Everybody mast recognize the general
truth Of the following. M least in its an
plication to the juvenile population of
the great cities:
You have little men aud women, but no
children, The normal human child is pri.
mary a healthy little animal. The nor
NAL American child is cute" smart, F."
nervous business mannikin. Charming and
clover and attractive very, very oftei-but
abnormal.
After starting well, Mr. MoseIy pro
pounded a theory IN regard to which
many will disagree with him He thinks
that American children would be better
brought mp in nurseries, like those of
the English higher classes" He de-
clares:
The close companlonship Of American
fathers and mothers with their children Is
one Of the greatest dangers Of American
home life II is not only unwise II IL a
positive evil. The brains and emotions Of the
Youngsters are guDpT- stimulated. More or
less nconscIousy they are expected to
think the thoughts and feel the impulses 81
their parents instead OF the natural, child.
like thoughts and impulses. which are most
ly instincts. Instead Of being allowed TO
run along on their own level the children
are being continually forced up an inclined
plAne-to "A higher level, doubtless, but they
would reach II in good time without com
pulslon, If they were left alone-and they Il
be so much less tired when they arrived :.
It's m old saying but true one, Children
can be children but once Here IN Amer.
len you seem 20 desire to eliminate even the
once Then. besides brushing the bloom
of natural childlshuess. the familiar asso-
citation Of the older aud younger members Of
the family, az practised here, - So subrer-
siye Of proper obedience. American chill
dFCn boss hCir parents. The code Of dis
: clpline current IN the typical American fam
| fly would not be tolerated anywhere else in
/ the civilized or unciyilized world Even
/ savages command greater respect from their
offspring than the American f0ther ANA
mother II the children were kept IN the
| nursery where they belonged they would
/ 90 20 bed at proper hours. they would dress
| simply instead ~ becoming the pulled AMI
/ friIled show-dolls one So often secs, ana
/ they would naturally gain an access Of
respect for those set Ia authority over
| them"
Mr.. Mosely treats az q unit two
| things which are separate lie seems to
think that there cannot be close and con
slant association without undue famil.
! iarity and foolish Indulgence. From the
time If the Puritans il has been the
American custom 10 bring mp children
in the family circle, and not ia the nur
| sery. That children In American cite,
/ are subject to too much excitement Is q
serious evil which is due IN large part
tp modern urban conditions, and need,
correction. Every American knows 81
fathers and mothers who do not spoi
their children by over-indulgence. though
every American will freely admit thai
There are many who Do. This folly Is re-
sppusjble for incalcnlable mischief