The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-04-03
EEYOUR
 CHILDREN
M s ncbtsss esssen

A dosen or 50 years ago some one discovered that good men and true had been working for decades and even centuries to uncover truths behind human behavior.
 "Psycheiogy" stormed the land. In many cases with benefit and a broader understanding on the part oe those in charge. In other in- stances the movement lost all trace of common-sense and people have used 1t as a fad for seif-expression, or misuhed 1t as a fetish--a cure- all.
 PFiminG themselves with a few technical expressions they turned homes into laboretories that would Il have been burlesque had they not been so tragic. Or turned the chil- dren loose on their own to ruin themselves.
 Baisinterpreted Facts
 The fact that 50 many parents and even few schools have mis- interpreted the foundation truths of safe and sane mental and emo-s tional guidance has had its inevit- able consequence.
 Dissenters and I-told-you-sos, the natural leaders of the left wing rare, to-day blowing the bugles of challenge as was to be expected.
 Looming at the front are the "spankeys'' and "whippers" who believe that mans chief end is not his head but his rear.
 Another Another battalion is lieut6nanted by an insurgent writer who begins her recent article with the wcrds, "The average child IS selfish, stubborn, forgetful, cruel. \ illogical"
 I Unless am much mistaken l this new peg to hang another hob- by on (sRith leaders already throw | ing out their formulas from the medicine -show), will go to OK tremes as idotically as did the rabid "freedonists."
 Salt Theories With Sense If this is their opinion of all chill dren, heaven help the offspring Of their converts.
 The sensible parent will have I none of 1t just as she or he boy cotted the i1alf-baked theories of behaviorisnt that endorsed uncurb- ed liberty.
 There are certain bedrock l truths about children (and the | things that affect them) known to sensible parents either through l first- hand experience or safe and sane reading; such as the balance between love and authority; de- velopnient of the child's town" best rather than a superficial best l grafted on by force; family life and relationships; causes of confusion in the chi;d's mind; encouraging self-help and resourcefulness-a 50 on. As well as the unfortunate results of too much steam trolling.
 I never found my children like l the adjectives quoted by the snap l pish lady. suppose about two l whippings apiece covered the sta I tistics of corporal punishment Tn l their lives. They were polite. sweet. charming happy and lovable. 1 Grown now, l am inordinotely proud of both. have three grand | children under four. They are, even 1 now, neither cruel, illogical nor mean. They are busy, happy little hustleys aleYtly responding to the influence of a good home and in- I tellisent handling. They are not perfect. That would be terrible.
 Regimentation and greater con- troi are needed to offset the harm done by extremists. have seen that coming for a long time. But urge ali parents to use discretion lin joining forces with a threaten Ted inquisition that will take us back to the dark ages unless we are careful.
 Copyright, 1e3S. NEA Service. Inc