Evening star., 1933-09-10

also system of ideals and sound sentiments
that cannot be denied.
BY sound sentiment 1 mean a sentiment
based in reality as opposed to the foolish senti-
ment of too-romantic love understood by
society.
1t is this false glamour that too often leads
young people into tragic marriages
DR. Erickson makes use of method Of teach
ing more than 1000 years old-that of the
Socratic dialogue, which charmed and instruct
ed the youth Of ancient Athens. He leads his
pupils like this:
family life is basal. an indestructible unit Of
society. No institution affects for good or evil
quite like the family"
Yes" the students agree
rs it true, then that the normal family
life guarantees happiness and contentment!"
Yes. that's true"
rs it true, then, that any departure from
the family life, the broken home, 1 mean.
brings misery and abnormality to the indi-
vidual and to society?"
"Yes, in most cases. In some cases, no.
Then We must be careful that the family
is founded on solid rock and the very be-
ginning is the most important And the be-
ginning is the selection. isn't it?"
Yes, Of course"
Then what do we want to select? We say
We want companions, lovers friends, al in one.
How do We determine that We going 70
get this happy combination?"
This is where the class in courtship goes into
action.
THE youngsters work out the problem them
selves. They find out why cute blue eyes
are not a good enough reason for marching TO
the altar; they discover that companionship
runs longer and truer than passion.
"The whole purpose of these classes" Dr..
Erickson says, rs to help young people select
the right mate.
Biological attraction is . factor in every
marriage, Of course. but it is by no means the
only factor"
There are three main problems for young
sters to consider, he thinks, in the process Of
mating.
The first is biological you must be sure
to pick a tree without too many bad branches"
The second is economic. The boy must be
able to earn living and. if the girl has been
used to better things than he can provide, she
must have the stamina and sense to get along
In reduced circumstances.
The third is a little more complex.
During the entire process of courtship-
that is from the first general meetings between
the sexes until the actual pairing-a system
of values has been arising. The individual
has formed in his or her mind an ideal kind
of mate. This ideal will be determining
factor in the final mating
As there are three considerations in mating,
the pupils have worked out for themselves
three levels Of cOurtshp
The first is an extensive acquaintance with
many persons Of the opposite sex. .
The second intensive" Acquaintance
that is. the pairing off of the sexes, and the
students Of DR.. Erickson do not believe that in
Caucasian civilization this should be done
earlier than the ages of 18 or 49,
The third is the engagement period and
the process of learning each other. This must
be very delicate bit Of personal adjustment
perhaps frought with many surprises and dis
appointments as the actual fails to meet the
ideal
In this connection, DR.. Erickson wants to
tell the world that he does not advocate the
compan1onate marriage trial and erf6r"
theory of former Judge Ben B. Lindsey Of
Denver.