Evening star., 1934-08-14
Adult Education Means
Recovery of the Home

AZ tLC EsulLOE OI Inc Quar-.
Recently there has been much dis
cussion on adult education. This sub
ject Is not new, but 1t is recently
being given its due emphasis by the
American press. 1t Is indeed fortunate
that such writer's as Frederic J.
Haskin and others should give pub
licity to this most important subject
now. 1t Is now that our political,
economic and social institutions are
being transformed by our Federal and
State Governments. Essentially these
reformations have been undertaken
with one view in mind, namely, that
Of making American life O more
healthful and wholesome life. This
aim has been partly achieved.
The true success of our objective
will only be accomplished when the
average person realizes that the civ
ilization Of today demands many
changes within the home. Constitu-
tional restrictions deprive our Gov
ernment Of the right to impose Dr. in
terfere with the personal plans that
most directly concern the future OF
the home. However, this same end
can be achieved by education.
The rapid progress of our march
toward higher civilization has SO as
toundingly added volumes upon vol
umes TO our rhetorical description OF
when and how humanity has ameli-
GRATED itself, that the average college
graduate Of a decade or two ago Is
considered Ignorant" so to speak,
OF all present day accomplishments
unless he is "re-educated." Un-
doubtedly the value Of adult education
Is just as important as child educa-
ton.
The various social sciences, for ex-
ample, have made rapid strides In
their experimentation and investiga-
tions, and the older members as well
as the younger members of the home
should be educated as to the value of
these investigations. Psychology has
contributed considerably toward the
development Of the home. But, as
yet, there hasn't been any consider
able application Of its findings by old
members Of the home. Parents must
realize the importance of scientific
aid in solving domestic problems. The
popularization and ultimate applica-
ton Of science within the home can
only be achieved by the education of
parents.
The public must be educated to the
fact that Government agencies, State
and Federal, are set up to aid in all
problems where schooling cannot be
afforded. That is one reason why we
pay taxes. The investigations of
these agencies are made public and
may be procured for O very nominal
sum. The research work covers every
conceivable subject. However, the
number Of people who know that
such services are maintained by our
Government is very small. Only re-
Gently Government departments have
had to suspend or decrease the publi-
cation of pamphlets because calls for
them were few and expenditures for
their publication ran up to consid-
cradle sum. There are many ways in
which adult education can be achieved
where actual schooling is not readily
available. In this city there exists q
fortunate situation in that many Gov
ernment employees of all ages attend
the local colleges and universities at
night.
No doubt, with further publicity on
the need for adult education, recovery
for the home as q vital unit will be
under way. Until adult education is
achieved, and until 1t restores the
home in its fundamental position,
true recovery will only be mere fic-
ton! DAVID AMATO.