Evening star., 1941-10-22
Jealousy
Must Be
Curbed
Trait May Discolor
Ones Whole Life
If Uncontrolled
By Lettice Lee Street,

Jealousy, that hateful, despised
that torments its victims
into unhappineSs and self-condem-
nation, that repels the friendship,
confidence and love of others and
leaves the jealous one ridiculed and
alone, is one of the most unde-
sirable of all emotional problems.
Its presence is indicative OF a lack
of faith in ones self and frequently
results in bitter self-depreciation.
Adults may often successfully dis
guise their Jealousy and will do so II
they have sense enough TO realize
that to show their envy only defeats
their own ends. But children are
not only unable to control their
feelings but are also lacking in the
experience that teaches them that
to hide their jealousy is benefit to
them.
1t is almost inevitable that every
child should pass through a jealous
stage, and this generally occurs at
about the third year. 1t has been
noticed that as children grow older
their jealousy tends to decrease,
and children in large families are
less envious than the only child, or
the youngster with only one brother
or sister. Some child psychologists
believe that girls are apt to be more
Jealous than are boys.
This miserable mental state is in
a sense a form of ire brought on by
the Illustration that is felt when a
child sees another youngster re-
ceiving that which he desires.
When a 2-year-old toddler, who is
in all reality an adorable. lovable
little child with friendly instincts,
bites or kicks his baby sister at
every opportunity afforded him. he
is not deserving of horrified con-
demnation. but of understanding.
The parents of such a child should
realize why he behaves as he does
and know that he is incapable Of
appreciating the fact that he may
inf1ict physical injury or even what
the words physical injury" mean.
He is simply giving vent to the prlm-
tive emotions that he has not yet
learned to control.
Such little child may be most
wisely handled if his mother makes
a point of showing him that he is
important to her, if she gives him
the time and affection he Graves and
does not appear more attentive to
any one of her other children than
she is to him.
The older child may become
Jealous of a playmate and harbor
his resentment and therefore suffer
considerably in silence. Such a
child will show slight interest in
games. his school work is apt to
fall below his average ability and
all of the defeating results of envy
NAV be evidenced without the child
saving a word about what is the
matter. Even though he either
cannot or will not put his troubled
thoughts into words they are there
lust the same. and unless they are
removed he may easily grow up to
be a person who suffers from eXces-
siye jealousy that can discolor his
entire life.
When child acts in such man.
ner as to make his parents sus-
picious that he is jealous of Others
a great deal may be done to nelp
him by praise and by asking him tr
praise his playmates, by showing
trust in him. which will increase
his self confidence and by being
loyal and loving to him.
The proper amount of self-esteer
is the cure for jealousy; no young
ster who is nagged, scolded ano
bullied at home can be expected not
to feel envy when he sees Other
children treated with respect anC
admiration.
Lettice Lee STREET. has COM
piled a leafiet entitled THE I'M
PORTANCE OF CORRECT POS
TURE, which will be sent to you
upon request. Address Mrs.
STREET., care Of this paper, and
inclose Sc stamp and your ad-
dress carefully printed