The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-24
WOMAN,S REALM :
Your Children
By Olive Roberts Barton

Right now many parents are por- ing over college catalogues for fall. What Is best for John or Mary to study to make Q living2 Are they to take up a profession or a vOcation2 or will a liberal arts course be best after all to give them general back ground for something they may choose later?
 Alas, cannot either recommend or advise any more. Time has put new face on education and con- ditions have given the most fore- sighted pause.
 Advice Goes Begging
 It used to be that when John turned in his degree in engineers ing, his future was fixed. Or when Mary had taken college and "nor- nal" (teaching) and what-not, her position was waiting for her. Law was law, and doctoring was doctor. ing. Science needed the speciality equipped and 50 did everything else. Now we know that fields are pretty well crowded and vacancies rare. So advice must go by the board and parents do the best they can.
 However, nothing is ever closed to the earnest, interested worker. And besides if we stopped prepar. ing for specialized work the day would come when no one would be available to take the place of those who step out.
 It is only right to help these an- bilious boys and girls to shape their futures as far as we are able, and if they show any particular bent or preference to give them special in- struction in the subject.
 It's Not Johns Fault
 Parents, I believe, are less eXact- ing today when 1t comes to results, and less disappointed than they used to be if John, educated at ex- peilbe and sacrifice, cannot step inc statitly into the firm of Smith, Smith and Smith and earn a fairly decent salary. They are learning that the boy on whom they built their fond hopes has bigger prob- lem on his hands than merely pass ing his examinations and getting some letters after his name.
 They are learning also to adjust their ideas, and their patience, to the fact that Johns law or Mary s Languages" can be atl asset in other directions. Maybe as a lawyer John will make Q first-class manager somewhere, or as a teacher special i1inR in English (so says her sheep- skim Mary may make a grand re- porter and subsequent editor or ad- vertising head.
 Even the young doctor, discour. aged by too many contemporaries in independent practice, may make a wonderful personnel director, or find his knowledge of hygiene an undeniable asset when the board Of an institution appoints him to Sup- ervise health activities and sports.
 Must Make Adjustments
 Education is more pliant than formerly. It must be so. This is no. thing against education, rather all for 1t, but the point of view regard- ing preparation for life and its ul- timate harvest must stand ready to adjust itself to facts. Foul. years, or even two, is Q long way ahead. We must choose as best we may, and decide on a general course with Q "major" or concentrate from the beginning on the narrower road of special preparedness.
 If John isn't c student and dis- likes the whole idea of going ahead with higher study, why not let him learn something to his credit in the college of everyday experience? He owes 1t to his parents to try and try hard if he does 90 to college. But if he does his best and fails to make good, particularly in elbowing c place for himself later, he should not be blamed to much. His educa- ton will stand him well in some other way.
 (Copyright 1886, NEA Service, Inc)