The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-01-06
Vocational Column
THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY
HOME
C. C. Mcclure, Rural Life Class.

tions Of our country homes Of to-
day we find that many things are
lacking for comfort; and the con-
ditions which exist are not the best
10 the success Of our country homes.
II is therefore a problem to be
solved which can not be done by
lany formulated rule.
Because Of the isolation Of many
Of our homes there will be some
that will always he behind in pro-
gressiveness.
Among the things that are needed
by the rural homes. the foremost
to my mind is the hearty coopera-
ton Of the family. What ! mean is
that the mothers and daughters
must have confidence in each other,
also the fathers and sons. The lack
Of the spirit Of fellowship or lack OF
team work is what 10 my mind caus-
;es many Of our wrecked homes. !
know Of instances where the wife
has 10 keep il n secret when she,
by saving little money along, buys
herself new dress.
, u is the lack Of this home love or
confidence that has caused many or
our boys and girls 10 go away from
home, or elope 10 get married. !
verify believe that we will never
have good citizenship or a good COM
munity until we cooperate in our
home life.
II When young couple get married
IL should he their whole purpose to
build a home in which IL is a pleas
Iure To live. and in which children
may he reared in the right way
Another phase Of this subject lies
in the fact that today many men,
and women too, marry not for the
purpose Of perpetuating the race or
establishing a home Of love: but
simply because ~ social standing
good looks or because Of wealth do
they pledge their lives in marriage
Now this state Of affairs results in
broken homes, wrecked lives and di-
vorce courts.
In the average country home Of
today, the daughter has nothing 10
say in regard TO the furnishings Of
the house. Not even the parlor,
where she is 10 entertain her friends
and over which she should have full
contributes she have any say as
to whether n green or a red rug
shall be bought. Now with these con-
ditions existing. is there any reason
for blaming the girl for getting mar
ried so she can have some say-so in
managing affairs.
The farmers son. too. rs a general
thing is never consulted by his
father about the business side Of the
farm. He never knows what his
father is intending to plant in the
fields until the time comes 90 plant
them. n he asks anything he usual
~ gets the reply that. at doesn't
matter go ahead and brcak - the
land and you'll see what will 30
planted" II is a rare thing when he
has the least share in the profits Of
the farm crops or stock. His father
buys the stock and tells him 90 "nnd I
EN-" II is easy to conclude that the
boy is not. by nature. going 90 re-
main there long.
What we need is more coopera-
tion between the members Of the I
family il we are 10 have n family .
circle that is rcverenced by each
one.
Dealing with the inside Of the
country homestead we find many i'm
can he had which will /
greatly add 10 the comfort of the
home life. n for instance the daugh-
ter can he given the opportunity 10
take course in some good home |
economics school, she will be able 90
artistically decorate the home with
little expense. A few good pictures
placed on the walls in the right way
are far better and cheaper than doz-
ems Of other kinds.
Comfortable, simple furniture is
better than some massive thing that
requires all the strength the wife
and husband both have to move
from one room 10 another.
Ey all means our future country
home must have a more complete Ii
brary or shelf Of good books. and
several good newspapers and mag
azines that will interest the chill
dren.
Music is a balm TO any weary
heart and therefore must find its
way into our homes. Many other
things such as equipment for the
kitchen, etc. are sadly needed but
! have not time TO discuss them.