Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-29
DOROTHY DIX TALKS-PASSING THE BUCK

BY DOROTHY DIX

forgotten the offense, or father was tired ana
didn't want to be worried by an unpleasant
scene, and the result was that Maud ana
Johnny went scot-free, and were confirmed
in their opinion that the way to get Wnat
you want is to yell for it.
1t takes lot of strength, and nerve to
wrestle with headstrong, high-strung chill
dren, and to- teach them self-control, and
obedience, and respect for the rights OF
others, and the great majority of women are
too weak, and trifling, and self-indulgent
themselves to do this They leave the dis
agreeable task to somebody else, and in so
doing they commit the objectionable sin, for
nothing can alter mothers responsibility to
her children. They are in her hands in their
plastic youth when she can mold them into
any shape she Desires and whether they go
right or wrong in life she determines
In an enormous number of cases fathers
also pass the buck as regards the rearing OF
the children. Then they put it up to the
school teachers, and expect strangers to do
for their children what they have been too
careless, and too Indifferent to do. Amy
school teacher will tell you that it would
amaze you to know how many children come
out of respectable homes who have not been
taught even the common usages of decent So
ciety They have the manners of ruffians.
They do not even know how to hold their
knives and forks at the table. They have
no consideration for others, no conception
Of even playing fairly and sQuarely.
They are selfish, -opinionated, spoiled,
i1l-mannered and ill-tempered, and yet the
parents expect the teachers to make worth
while men and women out OF this poor ma
terial. Sometimes the miracle can be &C
complished. Generally the attempt is a
failure, because the teachers get the chill
dren too late, after they are ruined Fathers
and mothers who are too weak to discipline
their children themselves, and who pass on
their duty to others should be fore-handed
about 1t, and turn the baby in the cradle
over to someone who will perform the duty
they evade. .-
And what is. all this talk about nerves,
and ill-health, and sensitiveness except pass
ing the buck? Did you ever know a woman
who was a shrew, and nagger. and who
made her home place Of terror from which
everyone fled who could, who ever admit
ted that she had vile temper or attempted
to control it? You never did. Such a one
always speaks of her poor nerves and feels
that 1t gives her a perfect right to be a
virago. Don't you know dozens Of women
who are too delicate to work, and who
sponge on every relative who will stand for
it, yet who are strong enough to dance all
night and play golf all day? Don't you
know girls who are sensitive they cannot
work in an office but who are brazen enough
to chase men down in society? They are
those who pass the buck.
And the buck passer is a contemplate
coward, poor spineless weakling, for we
only rise to mans and Woman's estate when
we stand on our Swn feet, and bravely face
our responsibilities, and square our shout
ders to bear the burden life lays upon them.
Copyright, 1921, by The Wheeler Syndi-
-.. cate, Inc.)