Evening star., 1953-10-19
Idle Youth Crowds the Devils Workshop
10 the Editor of The Stor:


MAY I contribute a few thoughts
4V1 on the subject Of juvenile delin-
quency?
My thesis is Weakness Courts Con-
tempt" Strength commands respect,
although not always unmixed with
hate. Conversely, weakness, although
sometimes moving to pity, does not in
Spire respect. The current confession
of impotence on the parts of parents,
teachers and law enforcement authori-
ties Is an admission of weakness, and
can do little but incite to further de-
structiveness the vandal-minded young
SterS
Far back in the '2OS there came into
popularity some novel theories in child
psychology. It is well remembered how
freedom Of expression" was extolled
as a new panacea. The writer attend
ed a meeting at which man then
prominent in educational circles was
explaining the new idea of "let the chill
dren do what they like to do" These
very words were used by him. He fur
ther elucidated his point by posing the
question: IF Johnny does not like to
study French, why should he have to
study it; if Mary does not like to study
mathematics, why should she have to
study it?" (Does this throw any light
on the development Of the pattern?)
It seems that, as result of promul-
cation of such theories we, as people,
have gravitated into a state Of juve-
nifty The center OF gravity has shift
ed to what the writer prefers to call
national epidemic of "kiddyism." The
"kid" has been elevated out Of all pro-
portion to his proper Importance in a
balanced society, until now King Kid"
has become tyrant and must be de-
posed Everything has been done to,
shield and protect, sugar coat and
soften, explain and excuse, until chill
dren who have been the products-or
victims-of such upbringing are i'll
prepared to meet practical and hard
boiled world.
There is no substitute for work and
sweat. These are actualities. To dis
guise them by any psychological sub
terfuge is downright dishonest, and
only postpones the shock of adjust
ment. Children must. sooner or later.
learn the value Of toll. mental and
physical: the hard-earned dollar, and
the value of property purchased with
it. A far cry from earlier times, young
Sters today do not have enough real
work to do. LuxurieS have been heaped
upon children and everything has been
done for them to make things easier
until it seems that they are suffering
with sheer boredom.
There seems little in evidence actually
to temper them to a manly or womanly
approach to life and its responsibilities.
The spirit of the playground is being
carried over into offices, shops and
factories, and responsibility and
sense of moral values in work per-
formance is lacking. The writer has
had occasion to observe them to some
extent, and to talk with their en-
ployers and supervisors. The spirit OF
horSeplay pervades their daily duties.
Little dignity or decorum is manifested.
manners have little place, and becom-
ing respect for employers and super
visors is not much in evidence. The
courtesy title of "Sir" or Mister, has
givep place to use of first names and
nicknames, regardless of age differential
or Office held.
BY no means is delinquency in youth
to be condoned. Let it be explained as
this contribution seeks to do: let us not
excuse it. It must be dealt with in such
way as first to inspire, then, if neces-
sary, to compel respect. This cannot be
done by any show of irresolution or
"slSSineSs" It must be done through
judicious exercise of firmneSs strength
and, when necessary, force, with sure
fire justice at the end of the tether.
The release Of young raScals ''in the
custody of their parents" to use
prevalent Juvenile Court term, without
imposition of proper punishment seems
merely a weak gesture in passing the
buck right back to the cradle of i'm
potence. There has been too great a
tendency to kiss 'em and forgive 'em"
because they are so young" They are
not too young to know what is going
on and are, taking full advantage OF it.
Their very turbulence bespeaks fun
damentally bad spirit. If these delin-
quentS knew that stern justice, suited
to the age and the magnitude Of the
vandalism, awaited them, delinquency
would very likely cool down and cease
to be major problem. Were these
incipient criminals sentenced to real
work of a constructive nature for the
benefit of human society, the whole
matter might take on a different COM
plexion. There is plenty of work to be
done well within their abilities, for
which tax funds are scarce. There are
many highways bordered by unSightly
scrub growth, fallen limbs and rubbish
Much of the public land is gulley
washed. Drainage bitches are needed.
Fire hazards could be removed and
public parks and recreational areas
need orderly policing, to say nothing OF
repairing the work of vandals. Why
let destroyers go scot-free and pay men
out of scarce funds to do the many
chores, the doing of which would be
good for the souls of vandals. and
would teach them the value Of the
things they take too much for granted,
in terms of work of maintenance?
Let us see a little strength and a