The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-03-28
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR YOUTH

AS the twig is bent so the tree will grow-is an
old adage that has been exemplfed over and
over again. This element in growth is one reason
why in our recent economic cataclysm special pro-
visions were made for those under 25 years of
age. Opportunities adjusted to the needs Of early
development must be available to young persons
if they are to have equal opportunity for prepara-
tion for life. The same opportunities later in life
are not as effective as when available for the right
stage of development.
To assure boys and girls equal opportunity for
development we have child labor regulations, COM
pusory school attendance laws, and we are trying
to provide schooling adapted to individuals. More
and more responsibility has been laid our pub
lie school system; consequently, it has become OF
increasingly greater Importance that nothing
should prevent boys and girls from attending
school to the completion of the selected to
fit them for their chosen v0catOns Where un-
poyment of family bread winners has made this
difficult during the depression, special provisions
for income for young persons have been made
,~s SO long as young people can be kept in school
they may escape the main economic hazards, but
the problem becomes serious when young people
leave school and look for jobs. Business, trim
ming it's sails to weather the storm does not want
to incur the expense OF hiring other than expert
enced workers available IN excess OF demand.
Young persons drifting without anchor are in dan
ger of starvation and intellectual and personal
decentralization. They might easily become the vic
tins of short-sighted propaganda and destructive
or demagogic leadership.
OF the young people between the ages of l5
and 25, who have left school and sought Jobs in
private industry, nearly One-third are unemployed
"a rate Of unemployment so per cent higher than
that for workers between 55 to 65 years OF age.
Even more serious is the rate of unemployment
for those between Is and 19-l1 per cent.
The first obligation Society owes these young
persons is to try to get economic institutions
operating to a degree that would assure jobs for
all needing them regardless of age.
Our second obligation is to provide the safe
guards while try to accomplish this first OBJ
jective, which will prevent the physical, mental,
and moral degeneration that might result from
unemployment. We should help these young per-
conserve their ability to work and to function
as constructive citizens in the community.
Our third obligation is to protect these young
persons from those persons and organizations
which would take advantage Of their mlSlortuneS
and ineXpcrience to tie them up with movements
and obiectiVGs Of sinister or questionable nature.
Totalitaran leaders Of Europe have imposed upon
the need and ineXperlence of their young people
stluctivc to Christian civilization. Our great
Teacher pointed out the enormty of sin against
children. An obligation rests upon US to protect
our young persons against pelVcrSon that would
warp the rest Of their lives Unless take this
obligation seriously will cndanger the spiritual
and intellectual capacity Of our Nation.
The American Youth Commission has recon-
mended program for action which includes the
following:
Raise the age Of school attendance;
Provide those who do not wish to combine
schooling with employment in some form of ser
vice under public auspices, adequate vocational
guidance, training, and work experience;
A nationwide public health program;
Improved educational programs.
AS we provide adequately and wisely for our
youth, we shall determine the future of our Ma
ton.