Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-15
OUR CHILDREN
BY ANGELO PATRI.
Delinquents.

DelinquentS.
It is easy to get along with those who
succeed. The trouble comes with those
who fail. We naturally avoid trouble
and dwell as much as possible on sue
cess. 1t is easier on the mind. But de-
hnquents win not let us forget them.
whether we like 1t or not they press
for attention. What shall we do with
them?
First we study the causes of delin-
ouency. We find, for instance, that
truancy Is listed as a cause for delin-
quency by some social workers. Now
truancy Is not tie cause Of delinquency.
1t Is inherent in delinquency The In
adequate child is the one who plays
truant.
What makes him inadequate? He
does not find it possible to live to the
standards of the social body in which
ne lives. Why not? He may be IN
healthy, either mentally or physically.
One thing you may rest assured of and
that Is if he were fit, If he were able to
live to the required standard he would
be delighted to do so. There is some
thing holding him down and 10 is
usually something outside his control.
The home of such child fosters de-
ljnquency as usual thing. The hered-
ity of the child was poor. The living
conditions are bad. The home stand
ards are not those of society at it's
best-which is what school and church
and court really mean.
Then the study of the delinquent
being with a study of his home, his
hereditv, his health-mental and physi-
cal. Then what? Usually nothing but
4 reform school. What we need is a
clinic and a clearing house for such
oh In d.. l,
world. We need to recognize that there
are certain children who can never at
tain the school standards in lessons and
conduct. Shall we lower the standards
and let them go by?
No. Change the school and give
them high standards on their own plane
Of life. If you think that cannot be
done, let me direct you to the Vineland
Training School for Predetermined Boys
and Girls of Vineland. N j. Here you
will find colony of almost helpless
children living on a high standard of
achievement on their own plane.
If that can be done with feeble
minded children. what more can be
done with normal-minded children, diff
ferent in endowment, heredity and
mentality from the usual school child6
If We established schools that offered
work and study and play according to
the needs Of these odd children we
could save hosts of them to useful citi-
ZenShip. Those that were winnoWed
out as impossible in one group should
be passed along to another where again
they are winnowed and redirected until
the great group is under profitable in
struction. State colonies, State camps,
State schools in every place where they
are needed to aid those children who
fail to comply with the requirements
of ordinary everyday life are a neces-
Sity.
Each school needs a psychiatrist. a
physician, nurse and teacher When
a child shows evidence Of failing he is
Immediately tested, examined and
treated. If necessary sent to another
school more suited to his needs. Why
not?
Active children should have active
education, not the sitting still and lis
tening sort. Bookminded children
should not be exalted above all others.
valuable though they are. Nor should
the trade-ninded child be made to feel
himself belittled by attendance at a
trade school. 1t is time that we ac-
knowledged the intelligence Of the farm
er. the mechanic, the artisan. Time to
provide them with training and a place
in the scheme Of life. Offer every child
education after his own kind and we
will lessen the delinquency problem
nightly.