New Britain herald., 1926-02-17
Ignorance, Vice, Poverty, Illness
 Are Responsible For Poor Homes
Miss Ruth Bristol, Asst. Probation Officer, An alyzes Causes of Chil- dren Going Wrong.

FOOT homes are usually caused by ignorance or vice, but poverty and illness are also contributory," declared Miss Ruth E. Bristol. as- sistant probation officer today. in Ter frst report to Judge Benjamin W, filling, since her appointment to office on last April 1,
 "ln an ignorant home we find tack of discipline" she continued. misunderstanding Of the law. dis. trust and fear. Children coming from these homes are apt to be tru- ant and sleep ont. Then following truancy comes petty theving. Here the parents need to be convinced that our interest is ,4 friendly, not punatiYe one, before any hcadway can be gained. Parents have a ra- Ural love and ambition for their ,hildron which can ordinarily be re- lied upon If they feel, you are work ing for the childs betterment. Little can hc done for the child until the condolences of the parent is gained.
 "The home in which vice prevails is more difficult the parents harder 70 deal with. If boy or girl has a drunken. or scXually immoral moth- or or father, they have a poor ex- onple constantly before them, or perhaps their parents are dishonest hootleggers or thieves. Here we have evasion and lies, perhaps sex per vert 10 deal with in the children, as well as truancy, sleeping out, and petty thieving. The parents have lost their self-respect and decency If their children can do wrong without being caught, they are not reprimanded or punished but are in some cases commended for thcir rlnverness. This atmosphere is de- ridedly antagonstic md difficult to rope with. Fear of the law, and the knowledge that they are by law held responsible for their children's mis- lemeanors usually needs 10 be in- stilled into the parents first. Then closer supervision in and out Of school provided for the children, with recreational interests If pos sihle. so the boy or girl will come In contact with an upright man or woman of strong personal magne- tism. Every child is at heart q hero "orshiper and given hero will to inc best of his ability. live up toi him. These are tho children to whom the right kind of big brother or sister would be life saver. Ii is Of course a tremendous responsi- blity for the man or woman under taking the job. but quite the most worthwhile spending of spare time that oould be done,
 "Whera poverty exists despair and Encouragement abide. Chil- dren lacking the bare necessities Of lifc---food, clothing. warmth-s ing them on every side, succumb to temptation and try to take them. Parents may or may not know Of ti1"ir thcfts. If the visit Of the pro l4;ion officers conveys the tirSt l.nowledr" Of their of'springs d"- liuQuyncy 10 them, they are apt 10 be either very grateful and cooper 3tivc. or rcs,ntful and defiant, IT cooperative. the child is punished and watched more closely by them. Family troubles arc all"Viatcd by procuring work for tEn wage earn ITS. and by referring them 10 tn" agencies which will be of most as- sistancc. When the family is rc- ~"utful the problem varies a tritl" but can b. handled in practically the same way.
 With Illness ae tho cause for & poor homo, individuals or aSSocia- lions sometimes are interested to relieve the physical disability befor" ,gny permanent work can |" done with the children. After this the problnm of the child is most sue rs -stulIy tackled,
 "Thrro are of course som" homes .n which no amount of worE ran remedy conditions. also some chji- drnn who cannot be kept out Of trouble by us. There arc f'"h'@~ minded larrutA and tecbl"-miudrl raiIlrrn. Sometimes adjustments ,.u be made by which thfy plod long without further disturbances but ordinarily proper institutional are is the only successful solution
 "DclinQunncy can not b" remcdi"d tnlcsg conditions causing it ar" un- ,!crstood and removed, and th" way 10 undnrManding leads through tn" home and parents. When al} ouI uom,s can b" made good, decent