Evening star., 1938-07-31

Houdlette, associate in education for
the A. A. U. w in charge of the study,
said last week. and these aspects of
child rearing are being met more sue
cessfully each year. Our study deals
with the psychological aspects of FAM
lily relationships and with the philoso-
ply Of child training.
While there is no set solution and
20 key to child training, there is no
reason why parents should founder
about uncertainty. They should
evaluate and criticize conditions and
at all times keep a plastic and open
mind.
There is what has been referred
to as the coinage theory of child
raising" Mrs. Houdlette continued.
in which the parent stamps his child
lndelibly with his own ideas. At the
other extreme is what has been called
the 'WildfoWer' theory, under which
children have little or no restraint.
From the data we have collected, it
would seem that both of these theor-
les are on the way out. The social
engineer type of parents is one who
leads, guides and directs his children
through the intricacies of living"
Pointing out that the survey is
limited to members of the associa-
ton. Mrs. Houdlette said they seem
to be making intelligent adjustments
In family relationships.
One cause for disagreements be-
70
be found in the fact that parents
cling to old methods of control, that
clash with the advanced ideas of
youth, she said, adding that home
duties appear to provide many causes
Of discord. Others such as dress"
spending money" Sunday school
end church attendance" use of the
car" and "unchaperoned parties"
comprise large part of the griev-,
ences of adolescents.
Many parents take their children
so seriously that they fail to enjoy
them" she said They fill their
child's every waking hour with dane
ing lessons, music lessons and stud
les. Too much of this robs the re-
lationship of its pleasure and spon-
taneity. Some of the members of
the association have protested against
the too serious attitude and a course
for members in How to Enjoy Your
Children is being discussed.
That parents are changing their at
titude toward their children was shown
by the weight that has been given to
desirable" qualities, Mrs. Houdlette
explained. A generation ago obed-
ience would have been given first
place, but such qualities as honesty,
cooperation, frankness and respect
are listed ahead Of obedience in the
recently collected data.
One object of the study is to stirnu-
late thoughtful evaluation of condi-
tons. Mrs. Houdlette pointed out
the importance of environment, and
particularly that of Psychological con-
dltlons. Children react quickly to
cultural patterns" she said. Such as
keeping up with the Jonses or the
pressure that is unconsciously exerted
by the personal bias or thwarted ambi-
tons of parents. and parents should
have this brought to their attention"
The study will continue through an
other year. As it deals with intanei-
bles only. trends in family relationships
Will be developed. Its principal value
is for the members who take part in it.
The local branch of the association
has not taken up the study to date,
but plans are being made to form a
group for that purpose in the fall
Mrs. Henry F. Butler, chairman Of the
committee in charge, is hoping to at
tract a large group of interested
women to discuss all of the - subjects
dealing with the American family.
After making a critical examina-
ton OF the material during the past
year" Mrs. Butler said, "the commit
tee is convinced that the study has
great possibilities and that the discus
sion and compilation of the data will
be a stimulating and rewarding un-
dertaking."
An international exchange of club
literature as a means of strengthen-
ing the ties between clubs in this
and other countries has been pro-
posed by Mrs Grace Morrison Rey-
nolds, secretary Of International Clubs
for the General Federal ton of Women's
Clubs.
Mrs. Reynolds. who as Mrs. Grace
Morrison Poole was president of the
General Federation from 1888 to 1885.
will present the plan in the next issue
of The ClubWoman She calls it IAN
interchange of clubs on paper" Be-
lieving that there must be clubs inter-
ested in some particular international
club and in the country in which it is
located Mrs. Reynolds has suggested
that American clubs send yearbooks,
some American magazines, records of
club achievements and last but by
no means least. an intelligent picture
of our national life at the present
time. from the viewpoint of a club
woman" to the foreign clubs and in
yite them to respond in kind
A list of so books suggested for
summer reading in preparation for
next winters program was i::a.uded
In the yearbook of the Columbia
Heights Art Club sent out last week.
Beginning with the October 6 meeting,
the club will discuss practically every
phase Of Scandinavian life in the bi-
monthly meetings which will continue
until May l8, 1899.
Divided into fiction, biography, his
tory, travel and economics, all of the
suggested books we're written by
Swedish or Norwegian authors.
Mrs. Charles K. Hoover is the presi-
dent of the club, which has a listed
membership of 80. Other officers are:
Mrs. Robert Hibben, vice president:
Mrs. Raleigh Gilchrest, secretary; Mrs
Lou P. Woodruff, corresponding secre-
, tary: Mrs. Elmer S. Frazier. treasurer
and Mrs. Robert McFall, director to
the District of Columbia Federation
of Women's Clubs.