Evening star., 1936-05-04
Controversy
With Young
Has Virtues
Opposition May Spur
j. In Independent d
La Thinking.
Ry ANGELO PATRI.

TT IS right that adolescent boys
i and girls question whatever is told
them. l am not for having them
take anybodys word for anything
that they can find out for themselves.
I'm for letting them search, investl-
rate. follow every fact to its source
and verify it on its own doorstep. l
do not consider it disrespectful for
q boy to question what have told him
Is true. If he is interested enough
to investigate and to test the validity
Of nv statement I'm glad of it. BY
that sign 1 know that his brain is
still a live and going concern, and
something worthy may come from 1t,
to the great advantage of himself and
the Nation.
There are some truths that are just
as well accepted from the source, facts
that have been proven by painful,
even dangerous experience. When
Jimmie danced up and down on the
rotten plank that spanned the brook
lust TO prove that his grandfather was
wrong when he said it would break
and let him down into the water. l
did not grudge him the spank his
grandfather gave him as a parting
gesture after pulling him out. The
plank spoke for itself.
Nor do l think it Studious gesture
of youth 10 go out and court injection
or contaglon after receiving q warn
Ing that. it is abroad in the land.
Some 90 this far in the wrong dlrec-
ton: and l am inclined to think that
We are TO blame for their lack OF
trust in our word Their experiences
with us have not made them trusttul.
But these cases aside, there are
worlds open TO youth that have to be
explored, tested and tried personally
before accepting The realm OF the
mind can not come under the control
OF its rightful posseSsor until he has
explored it step by step. tested every
idea. personally set the structures Oh
thought that sustain II.
No secondhand experiences will do
here. Is this good for me? Will this
work for mco Is this true in the
sight of my eyes? Why? So, poking,
proddlng. rejecting and accepting he
builds a fresh conception of the world,
his world and lives by it.
He who dares TO teach must be
willing to learn" Once teacher
and parents are teachers-goeS beyond
the accepted rules and customs and
enters debatable ground. one mans
thought is as good as another's until
proven to the contrary. A boy or a
girl may be as right, as wise. and as
earnest as his elder counselor and
guide. Let him talk, let him question
and come to some clear understanding
within his own mind. Don't fall back
upon authority, age, relationship OF
any sort. but stick to the point in ques-
fion and see it through without anger,
without personal feeling of any sort.
This child is searching for truth. Go
along with him, and it may happen
you will find a nugget for yourself.
No truth is ever hurt by free dis
russion No real authority is ever
undermined by questioning youth.
Authority comes by way Of the spirit
and stands up respected by all who
have come within its influence. If
YOU listen to youths questioning pa
tien- tly, you can set mistakes right.
If you listen respectfully you will find
new truth. If you go along in spirit
of understanding and faith, you will
truly guide youth even while it cuts
out a new path for itself. Principles
are eternal. 1t is only manners and
customs and mistaken ways that
change with time, and they need
changing to keep them in health. Let
youth question. Answer as best YOU
can,
Copyright, 1850