Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-13
hoy WEEK" AND NEW FIELDS
FOR ENLIGHTENED DIPLOMACY
Present Relations Between Children and
the Elders Are Not Quite What
They Should Be


LNOLK who are going to give their time and
L energies next week to encourage more
sympathetic general understanding of the
life and perpleXities of the average boy are
in fact attempting to establish what might
be called better diplomatic relationships be-
tween two halves of the world that somc-
times seem as far apart as the Soviets and
Europe. They are seeking to bridge the
gap ol misunderstanding that exists be-
tween Youth and the Elders of these COM
plicated times.
Little boys and girls have a sloriousy
rational view of life. Their natural prefer
CnCes are for open air and green places. for
simple adventure and wholesome exertion.
How children shall be permitted to use their
Imagination and expand their excess Of
purely physical energy within the narrowing
lines Of modern communities society has not
yet been able to learn. Tho refornatories,
so called. hold many boys and girls who
properly could be accused OF nothing more
serious than a lively Imagination innocently
miSdircctcd.
Children themselves are without thc
ability 10 express the difficulties that they
can only feel. That is>why their needs
have 70 be perceived by the sort Of wise in
depreciation of child character that made the
average boy happy by making him Scout
ln nine cases out Of ten the hoy who finds
himself at odds with his parents or proba
ton officers. or even the police has no
intention of doing wrong. In cities par
ItruIarjy there are on every hand suggestions
Of artiOn movement and adventure that
cannot l"av" Youthful minds al rest. There
are the movies. for example. and tn" dy-
mamie effects Of crowds.
The boy. craving activity. as>ail"d by
sugges ions of free and open places where he
could gambol as iOyously as any other
youthful animal and restrained. meanwhile
by tho necessary routine of school and COM
muN.ry life, j. in what for him. must be
pretty unhappy tiA. All he needs is Il little
NOR" direction Of u sort that. unit. recently.
he looked for in vain.
It Is id" and rather cruel to talk Of
''crimlnal tendencies" in children. Children
are what their environment makes them.
They are normally filed with enthusiasm
and cag"rness. fun and faith But they
arc as absorbent cotton wool. .In their
developing character they reflect what they
sec and hear as accurately as mirrors.
The polcn,iality Of any new generation
j. thrilling thing 10 think about. 1t brings
- The world an open mind and unspoiled
instincts.
1t is malleable and is always ready to re-
snond to n generous or inspired voice Those
who have opportunities 70 deal with the
minds and spirits Of children in the forma-
tive years ought To approach their work
almost in reverence And it is only in re-
cent years that we have learned how 10
approach children on their own ground and
to understand that thcy would far rather be
good than bad. They wait TOO long for an
understanding friend nor C. recognize him
when he appears.
Such q friend Of children vii not he
grim and hUmorIesS. lie will not believe
in routine methods OF suppression. lie will
be more likely 10 believe in fairies and he
will have tn" good sense to recognize in every
l!ttI" boy and every It'll" girl an individual
with S"nSlb!i!Ur> aS keen or kp"u"r than
his own. lie Will not try to frignton chill.
drrn into III" STAT" Of being good or happy.
lir will know hat they arc good already
and thai whom they become otherwise il is
usually b"caus" they lave been neglected.
and permitted 70 drift until an a,p.!dcnl or
& series Of accidents manned them inside
Children. and especially boys. have Il
deep rooted and beautiful instinct Of cour-
t".r. II is that instinct that makes the
average Scout 'hn admirable individual he
=. An appeal 10 il is always honorcd and
who"N"r conceived the, novel srh"nI- uf It
week drN voted 10 NOR" friendly reiar lonships
between boys and their elders knew what
l." was about wien, NJ the outse' lie ad.
dressed the Average Boy as an eUUaI and n
person who's" acquaintance was dccmod wor.
thy Of cultivation.
ll,r, at last was r",oynl.on 5ur tho
,h4varouS soul thar IS. withdrawn -lyIv IN
cvcry normal boy, Tha, ~ about = tba, is
needed 10 male Boy Week what 4 - in.
tended ~ bc.
Boys Should not he Shu' out from tho
intma'" friendship and companiunShir of
their elders They should nor bn left lo
drift. InSpo.ed they have beauty Of
instinct and character which, if Il could lo
made 20 survive the rough assaults Of g
TOO sophisticated older generation, womb
add infinitely 20 the dignity and grace ur
our civilization.
MLINL &c HDAzuo