Milford chronicle., 1938-07-08


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a point Of view productive of most
disastrous results.
The adolescent age Of a boy is the
time when he needs most the wise
counsel and sympathetic understand
ing of an older person. It is at this
stage in a boys life that new aud
marvellous world unfolds before his
bewildered and curious gaze. There
are a million questions he would
like to, ask, but the outspoken curl
osity Of childhood is gone forever
with the result that he seeks know
ledge from older companions. who
not having received the right ans
wers themselves have only unhealthy
information to pass along.
Adolescence is the age of paradox.
The boy passing through this period
is practically devoid OF common
sense. He is fantastic, irrational,
and emotional. He dreams while
awake, and lies awake in his dreams.
He questions authority and worships
heroism; he is very religious or not
religious at all; he is very apt TO be-
come stubborn and unmanageable;
he is quixotic in his pursuit of
PhantOms, which though illusory
and evanescent, seem to him the es-
sence of reality.
If you will pardon for a moment
the injection of the personal ele-
ment, I have learned from my own
experience that once the respect and
confidence of a boy or group OF boys
have been gained, there are abso-
lutely no limits to what one can do
with and for them. The best way to
secure confidence and respect, and
without these one is helpless, is to
meet the boy as far as possible on
his own ground as an equal, with
just the slightest hint of superiority.
Be able to discuss intelligently and
understandingly anyone of the my
riad and ofttimes idiOtic questions
that he may bring up;- it is all to
the good il you can meet him with
out losing face in the realm of sport.
He will not expect too much of you,
but on the other hand he will not
forgive an absolute dub" l regard
DOliteness as a most essential re-
luisite in dealing with boys and
would just as soon terminate abrupt
y conversation with the President
'f the United States without exeus-
ng myself, as l would with any boy
n Milford or elsewhere. On the other
land, would never hesitate to
call" a boy when. he OVersteps the
Ounds Of rules or prOpriety-he
oes not appreciate being permitted
D get away with things" 1t is here
hat the most important factor Of all
nters-falrness! Discrimination Of
ny kind is falkland for that rea-
on have always been more severe
18th the boys | like best. This pol
" / have followed religiously in my
ealings with boys throughout the
ears, and am happy that as a re-
nit more boys than can count have
one me the honor of their friend
Zip and their confidence. These are
)me of the reasons why / repeat
lat the proper training and educat-
lg of our youth is the most vital
1mestic problem of the day.
There is bottled up in each grow
e boy tremendous amount of en-
'gy and an outlet of some kind
ust be provided If an explosion Is
be avoided.
Whether you have such a safety
live here in Milford, do not know,
1t if you have not, then can think
no greater civic service than to
'Ovide the means necessary to
ain our youth to be worthy citi-
ms of the great country that gave
EN- birth, and you may rest assllT-
that the returns in improved man
,wer and citizens will more than
for whatever work and
lancial outlay that may be requir-
l. / thank you.