Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29
BY CARROLL BINDER.
Correspondent Of Ths Star and Chicago
Daily News In Italy.


War and revolution have left their
imprint upon individual and social
morality in italy as in other parts OF
the world. Here. as elsewhere. the en-
tire younger generation, from very
young children to young husbands and
wives, think and act differently than
did their predecessors OF the prewar
period.
The pendulum of change never
swung so far In Italy as IL did In some
otf7er countries, however. It has moved
back toward prewar standards with
greater alacrity than is discernible else
where. Taxing everything into account
the fabric Of Italian life 10 years after
the close Of the World War probably
bears a closer resemblance to that of
pYewar years than is the case in most
countries Religion and fasciSm have
tended To hold Italians TO moral codes
and social outlook not radically dis
similar 10 those prevailing before the
war
Basic institutions, such as the family.
remain but little modified by war and
It's aftermath. The relations OF parents
and children have undergone certain
changes and there are other exceptions
10 any generalization. Broadly speak
Ing. however, Italy knows no such
radical and seemingly enduring changes
ss many other countries have expert
enced
North and South Differ.
He VINO ventures 70 discuss Italian"
opinion or behavior must first explain
which Italy he is discussing. PoIiti-
kn a
Kingdom The social institutions and
the mental and moral outlook Of south
Italy differ fundamentally. however.
from those Of north italy. The Moorish
influence stiil manifegts itself in
southern italy. Northern Italy lis con-
tineDtsl tn its orientation. Members OF
the upper classes Of the two regions
Of course, are very much alike. The
sharp demarcation is found In the
middle ana lower classes. The north
Italians reflect war and postwar in
6uenceg and ideas much more mark
edly than do Italians Of the south,
Southern Italy still believes that
womans place is emphsticaily In the
home, Southern Italian women Of the
middle and lower classes enjoy none
of the moral and economic independ-
ence Of their sisters IN northern Italy
They may not 60 out alone, divert
themselves in public or associate with
strangers.
A similar spirit is apparent IN the
relationship between parents and chill
Syer. The south has not suecunbed
IL the new Independence of children
The southern father remains good
deal Of a pater familiss tn the approved
ancient Roman model His authority
Is absolute and interchangeable. He
chooses the career his boy Is 10 follow
and selects the husband or wife for hif
children.
To that extent the south has re-
sisted the new currents In othei
respects It. 100. has felt the influence
of war and postwar unrest HAVING
listed these exceptions IL ts possible "
discuss postwar Italy as & whole,
Old Code Being Restored.
All Italy experienced a moral let
dowr during the war and the inlme'
dlata postwar period Just rs every
pthef country did Young men anc
young women left their sheltered VII
lage life for the FIRST time 10 entei
tlte trenches or munitions factories
Theg learned of diversions and stand
ads OF life Of whose existence the5