The Washington times., 1928-07-13
Let Your Boy
B e long to
q Gang
BY Constance Cameron

&
we talk so much and so We
henoenfly about what should be
done to punish young criminals.
and our main argument is that
tl,ey SHOULD be punished to
teach a lesson to other growing
bows as to what will happen 70
them il they pursue similar
course.
You who have given childhood
any thought know that there Is
first in childhood a domestic age,
when the child plays at home,
either alone or with a chosen
comma MON or two. Later, and
beginning around the tenth year,
comes the urge to get away from
home. make many friends, ne
yelop social connections to be one
of gang" 1t is the age when
q boy develops sense of loyalty,
not only to himself and his chun1,
hut to his team, his side 1t is
the beginning OF the gang age,
the beginning of period in his
life when he feels an urge and
positive need to follow someone
and make a hero OF him. This
urge starts as perfectly natural
and healthy one. to get together
in games of contest, to play to-
gether. experience the same de-
lights Of a hike or the thrills Of
comparing collections of various
things. Whether the congrega
ton Of a group OF boys results IN
lleaIthfuL enjoyable activities or
in the tragic sorrows which ac-
crue from the gang spirit de-
ponds upon the interest OF the
parents az this critical time
There Is no use trying to keep
your boy from, these gang expert
ences. s.ud to do so would be to
rob him Of his chance to broaden
In mind and character his oppor-
funity to learn craftsmanship, Il
give and take" attitude toward
life and his fellow.n1en.
The big longing at this age is
Tor someone to idealize, to wor-
ship as hero. and it is your Job
as parent to see that your boy
sets up the right image to initiate
and adore, in the form Of
header. either hoy or an adult.
Al gentle directing of the boys
literature preparatory to this
period will be OF of help. See
that into his hands fall good
Biographies, stories of real men
who have been decent and honor.
able while In the acts of dis
coVery. pioneering. adventurIng
and founding country.
Next, when the boy begins tc
gather many companions abou-
him in teams Of clubs, make the
gang welcome at your home.
There is where the father can play
q big part, If he is truly inter-
ested in boys in suggesting new
diversions, in which he will prob
ably be invited to participate il
he is a regular" fellow. A
feed" for your boys team or
gang once a month will be
Infinitely cheaper and Of less
trouble than trying to undo the
work OF this gang influence If
YOU let 1t go uIlnOticed and un.
investigated somewhere else.
Boys camps for the summer
vacation take care of this desire
to congregate with other boys in
most healthful and satisfactory
way. For every small group OF
boys there is provided an adult
who has made study OF things
boys like to do. and he is there
10 help the boys execute these
ideas.
Keep your hoy exceedingly busy
between the years o. ten and six
teen. Encourage him to bring his
Companions to your home. En-
courage handiwork of all kinds
and athletic sports to the limit OF
his physical capabilities. See that
the leader of his gang merits
imitation and worship.
Keep close to your ten-to-six.
teen-year- SO close that
they feel your parental clutchings,
but close in interest and spirit.
Help to provide them with ma
terials for work and out-Or-dOOr
sport. 10 your part during these
years, and the arrests Of boys
who have utilized their energies
In staging hold-ups will melt away
like ice in a summer san.