The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-04
JUVENILE CRIME

The very large percentage Of boys and girls who
found their way into the juvenile court of this city
came from homes which were listed by the judge
as fTair."
A very much smaller percentage came from those
Of wealth and an inconsideraDle number from neigh
borhoods designated as Dad"
That reverses, to some extent the old theory
that environment is responsible for the oellnquen
cies of BOYS and girls and that the Sums furnish
those who break the laws and find themselves in
trouble .,
, Unless the explanation be given that there are
very few slum districts left in this city and that
the rich have fewer children, it would indicate that
there Is something missing from the average nome
which existed there but two generations ago.
National character is formed at fresides, not in
schools or in churches. And If the home is taking
on new character, 1t will change the viewpoint and
the habits Of the next generation.
Our modern cities are doing more than ever
before to give the boys and girls decent environ
ment In their formative period.
They are maintaining Fairgrounds to take these
boys and girls from streets and permit them to play
under guidance and decent direction.
They are maintaining scout organizations for
both boys and girls in order to inspire ideals and
discipline in orderly contacts with each other.
There is no lack of organization or of public
enterprise in directions that make for sturdiness
Of character
But can as much be said for the home life in
the average neighborhoods of any city?
What isto be said for the boy and girl brought
up in home where laws are violated openly and
perhaps boastfully?
Is there not some excuse for the boy girl who
finds no companionship with mother and father
who are too busy with their own pleasures to give
them the time they received from their par
ents?
Invention and the use Of labor saving devices
has changed the customs and habits Of every one in
the past twenty years.
Every invention in recent times IS attack
upon the integrity of home life, unless there be in
that home firm foundation Of ideals that are
stronger than modern temptations
The automobiles, one for every men,
women and children in Indiana reduce the time
spent in homes
The freless cooker, the electric sweeper, the
development in wholesale baking the scientific prep
aratons Of foods, the quantity production of clothing
all have their influence, while the great increase in
popular forms of entertainment inevitably has the
same tendency to make home life less compact and
less powerful
Whatever may be said Of the Inconvenience and
sacrifices of the oldfashoned home, 1t the
great influence In forming our national character
and in protecting American ideals of living
Our entire effort has been directed toward
making that home more comfortable and more
luxurious.
1t is jurt possible that In that effort have lost
sight Of the real for its existence and its
real purpose.
Our theory that making home more comfort
able would make it attractive does not seem
to be working out.
Observation and such statistics as those fur.
nished by this court suggest that the other atrac-
lions more mpeling and that less time, not more
is being spent by the entire family in the average
home
Perhaps some organization will be added to the
thousands already have, dedicated to the simple
purpose Of a Stay at Home Week or similar scheme
to emphasize the Importance of revival of the old
fashioned home influence.