The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-27
Sights in
Childhood
Hurt Most
BY MARTHA LEE

SllOlO1C W OlOCl lO4h, cllC
lie deepest and most lasting of all
A Snub, a thoughtleSs sighting re-
mark, a misdirected bit of teasing
or sarcasm may mean more to a
child than a faithless sweetheart or
an unrequited love will in later
years.
have stressed so many times the
astounding growth of false stand
ards of values that is sweeping the
country today Now, more than
ever before, money is becoming the
one standard by which all things
are judged.
Time Will Cure
When one is older, and more sem
Sible, one has enough self-preserv-
ing instincts to guard ones feelings.
A man who is poor does not seek out
che company of those who will show
him up unfavorably in contrast of
Wealth, education, polish, sravel. He
chooses those of his own group as
his friends, not because he does or
does not want to, but because he has
learned that which is best for him.
A child, however, is in a different
ooat. Every day. for nine months,
he is, through the public school,
thrown in contact with the children
of those more financially fortunate
than his own father. He is made to
see that his books are dog cared and
secondhand. while his school mates
have new books with shiny covers
and smooth pages. And there isn't
bigger thrill when you are ten
than having r. brand new school
book His stub of a pencil is in
sharp contrast to the red box, filled
with pencils and eraSers that the
boy in front of him has. His ragged
trousers and flannel shirt, his
scuffed shoes and all too frequent
ly dirty sweater are poor showing
against the appearance of the other
children of his class.
InferiOrity May Last
A child feels these things. Be-
cause everywhere he goes, he is i'm
pressed with the Importance OF
looking and acting and having
things like the other children do, he
very often acquires an inferiority
complex, or else a staggering bold
attitude to hide his embarrassment
and realization that things are diff
ferent for him.
- Ioffa,. fy.n,,, ryf,.1 rttl1n &c
feeling at an early age, the diff
ferences money can make in this
world. Even at thirteen she is Bit
ter against the order of things:
Dear Miss Lei am 10 and fresh
man in high school. Ny parents are very
poor and I am one Of five children. 1t
has been a sacrifice for them to keep us
in school. I know. TO buy US books. even
though they we're secondhand. and to
keep us in car fare. I have been fairly
bright in school. having always passed
with good grades.
have no clothes excepting a dress to
wear to school. and old coat and hat and
some nondescript shoes. Practically all OF
the girls at my school are we'll dressed
and have fur. talking to their classmates
and planning little parties and things. I
might have the leprosy for all the at
tention I get think I could act. but
am not asked to join the clubs. 1 can
play basketball pretty we'll. but haven't
any time to 20 out. as I must 90 home
after school and do housework. I am
fairly good looking. but no one ever pays
any attention TO me.
I am much brighter in my classes than
some OF the others. but even that does not
make any difference. I want to finish my
education. because I have no intentions OF
living in the poverty have been brought
up in. I did not used to mind It, be-
cause In spite of all the struggles. we
have been quite happy. But now I dread
it, When you arc so poor you might just
as well get of by yourself. for all the
chance you have. It's such a struggle to
continue in the face OF the sights one
receives when ones dress is in its fourth
year Of wear. If not on you on some one
else. and ones coat looks just what It is,
a cheap one cut down to At.
PLAIN JANE.
You asked no question, my dear,
but / am sure you wanted me to tell
you to keep right on going. If you
have only one dress. you can keep it
clean, and cleanliness does a great
deal for ones self-respect Poverty
is inconvenient, but surely nothing
diSgraceful.
You should be proud of your
mother and father, to think that
they have made the sacrifices for
you that you might have the
chances they never had. They are
trying to help you. Stick to school
as long as you possibly can. The few
clothes that you need so badly
right now, in order that you look
like the others, is nothing at all in
comparison to what your education
will mean to you later.
You have a certain pride that
must make you walk with you1
head up high and a beautiful car
riage is worth fifteen dresses. Try
to remember you have your attrac-
tions, but because your schoolmtaes
are very young and very sheltered
and very superficial, they do not
see them. Later on, everything will
be different.