The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-21
School Age
and Dates
i'm Clash
BY MARTHA LEE

The problem as to whether par
entS should or should not allow
their contributions to the younger
generation" which in my estima-
ton are those between the ages of
fifteen sometimes fourteen) up to
eighteen to have dates is cropping
out again, now that school has
opened and summer sports have
ended.
OF course, there is the idleness in
the summer months that makes the
idea of dates very attractive. Some
thing to do to pass the time; so
hot to just sit around when one
could as well be riding around in
Johnny's car. And besides ones
parents know Johnny'S parents and
why not? Children can never I'M
derstand, when, after the usual OBJ
jections are all taken care Of, there
is not a ready assent on the part OF
the parents; why they should not
be allowed to go with those boys
who were their playmateS in child
hood? 1t utterly is impossible and
rather disastrous for a parent to ex-
plain that the reason they do not
want them to have dates is because
they do not want them to grow
up" That would be the browning
insult and probably the most tact
less thing a parent could do.
Wrong to Cite Change
AS I explained some time ago, the
idea of parents impreSsing the fact
upon children that now their
friendships have taken on a differ
ent aspect than they had when they
were all children, is wrong. 1t makes
them subconsciouS Of the fact that
there must be something behind all
this sudden change and it makes
them curious.
It seems to me the thing for par
ents to do, if they really have the
interest of their children at heart
is not to forbid them to do the
things other boys and girls are do
ing, namely having dates, but for
them to take an active part in the
likes of their children through that
age when they feel they particularly
need guidance
Instead of gruffly refusing to let
Mary see Johnny any more, why
not organize the whole neighbor-
hood of young grown-upS who have
played together since they we're
knee high into a little club, where
they can have their good times to-
gether, dance and play games and
do the things you all used to do
when you we're youngsters.
Tact Needed
OF course, it would not do to let
them know directly that this was
going to be an old-fashioned party.
Revivals of this and that are pretty
popular these days. Why not have
a Revival club, and pull taffy and
play finch and checkers and all
that sort of thing? A clever set of
parents can put that over on them
and make them like 1t.
Half of the restlesSness in the
younger generation is due to the
lack of home life in most of the
homes. If you are one of those par
ents who walk around Sobbing over
the younger generation, stop vast
ing your time and do something
useful. Show them how interesting
you can make it for them. Here is
a letter from one Of these young
girls, who have been loudly and en-
phatically forbidden:
Dear Miss Lee
I'm a girl Of sixteen. = want to hav.
boy friends. but my dad absolutely forbidg
me to have anything to do with boys All
my girl friends have boy company. Dad
hsa the idea that all young boys and
girls are wild and the only thing to do
is not allow them to see each other.
can be Just as nice when I am out
I'm company as anybody. I have no desire
to be wild. I Just want to have a good
time like the other kids and have friends.
Miss Lee. don't you think I should be
allowed to go out with the other boys and
girls Of my age? Time hangs so heavy
on my hands with nothing to do but study
LONELY.
You are young to be having dates,
Lonely. but when your friends do, of
course you want to. Why not fix
it up with your dad to have your
friends at your home some evening
and have your party there. And
then try to organize a club that will
meet every two weeks, q club of
your classmates. You might take
up some form of athletics and, of
course, there is always good reading
to make the hours fly. Be satisfied
If you can fix it to be with your
chums twice month. And do have
a talk with him.