The Detroit times., 1917-09-19
Truancy
nv ~. ADDfNGPoN BRUCE
Author OF 4rhc Riddle OF Person
atty" Psychology and
Parenthood. etc.


The reopening OF the schools
brings Up many problems for par
euts. teachers, and school officials.
The Importance and significance n
these problems are not always ap.
preciated. such is eminently
the case with the problem Of tru-
ancy
When boy plays truant all that
is usually done IS TO set machinery
AZ work TO compel his regular at.
tendance al school 10 seems 10 be
taken for granted that his truancy
is nothing but an expression OF vii
tulness which must be overcome
for bis own good
And much truancy Is merely this.
Much also Is merely an expression
az the adventurous spirit latent ln
The average active. healthy boy
But some truarcy no small pro
PORTION has an altogether diNeInt
and really sinister meaning
~ represents an instructive az.
tempt on the part OF The boy 20 get
away from an environment 20 which
he cannot adapt himself because OF
inherited or acquired defects
When a boy Is naturally OF a linn
tied inteliigencf---w when. 10 nut II
frankly. he IS feeoie.miuded he is
certain 20 dnd the ordinary school
tasks irkSome and fatigulng.
His poor brain quickly tires un-
der the strain OF paying attention.
reaSonins, and memorizing School
consequently becomes hateful 90
him. And he fees from H.
X. again A boy is temporarily IN
a condition which dlsturbs and weak,
ems his mental powers. he may like
wise play truant as a means OF self
defense
Thus. in Philadelphia. small boy
was brought 20 court because Of
haol'ual truancy and incessant de
llnquency lie was put on proba
ton. bur This ala no good
In few weeks he was back, &C
cused OF theft His parents deolar
cd that they could do nothing with
him
Az last resort Re Was sent 10 the
psychological clinic Of the Unlver-
sity ~ Pennsylvania for 'horo
mental and physical examination
There 80 was discovered that HIS
teeth We're In an abnormal condi-
uou. causing him constant nervous
irritation
Also he Was found 20 be suffering
from an eye strain. Given well Il
ting spectacies and treated FOR the
dental trouble. De had ltcle difficulty
IN breaking his habits OF drlin
qutncv and truancy.
Decidedly truancy Is not 30 sim
pie a problem as many school au
thortles seem 60 think Decidedly
II ought 20 30 regarded FOR what ~
invariably ia symptom Of some
sort
u NAV DO symptom a. nothing
more than faulty home training hat
has had The effect ~ breeding w.lful
ness OF conduct IL may be a symp-
tom % adyen'ufousness.
or as above stated li may - 4
symptom % Unborn and incurable
feehle-mindeSness or ~ acquired
and ciira Bile bodily states.
which h. 70 say that always
case or truancy ought 20 be closely
invest gate1 20 determine its exact
cause. so fhat really corrective ac-
tlon mas De- taken
The feeble minded truant can then
DO sent 20 q school suitable f0r a
BOY % his grade OF intelligence The
iruant created By temporary condl
tons % brain enfee Element can D.
alven treatment FOR he relief Of
these conditions
IN this way the best interests 81
the truant and az society Viii De
served as they never can be served
by the unscientinc. grab.Dag method
~ simply forcing All truants 20 at
tend school