Hungry Horse news., 1954-11-19
Our Good Kids

We believe juvenile delinquency has been on
the decrease here in Columbia Falls in contrast to
the national trend.
The last few years have seen the organization
Of two boy scout troops and active girl scout
program as well as development of churches with
their youth groups.
These factors direct youthful energy into whole
patterns. It is juvenile delinquency prevention
that counts. Juvenile delinquency correction IS
much more difficult with unpredictable results.
At Columbia Falls high school, there is fine
situation where the top athletes are frequently on
the honor roll. We don't hear of these boys being
out on beer parties At least the situation is under
control
Liquor is problem at high school dances over
the nation. At Columbia Falls high last year, the
student council passed ruling that once inside the
building for dance students stayed. If they went
out (possibly for few cans Of beer) they couldn't
return to the dance. This action by students them
selves is fine example of curbing delinquency
This area also benefits from its boys and to
lesser extent girls spending considerable time hunt
ing and fishing
On the negative side is the situation where the
Flathead has high divorce rate. For every three
marriages there is nearly one divorce.
Boys and girls have a better chance OF having
normal wholesome home life if their fathers and
mothers work in harmony raising children.
There are also economic factors that create
Juvenile delinquency A family with unstable in
come sometimes has more difficult job raising its
boys and girls.
We have QUESTIONABLE from the American
Press magazine published in New York City. Don
Robinson, the editor, comments: I'VE were sur
prised to learn from the Senate committee inves-
tigating this subject that juvenile delinquency is
increasing at a more rapid pace in small towns and
rural areas than in cities.
Here are some of Robinson's questions: (Which
of the following influences would you say are most
likely to encourage juvenile delinquency today! lie
lists-teevision radio movies, comic books, parent
al leniency, scandal news in metropolitan dallles
and other.
do you think the labor laws, limiting the work
which can be done by boys and girls under 10,
contribute toward delinquency?
Marital conflict-insecure home life-is often
said to be cause of delinquency. Would you say
children in your community have any reason to
feel less secure today than the children of 20 years
ago?
SIS there a noticeable increase in juvenile
drinking in your area?
'Do you believe there is less respect for law
and order among teen-agers today than there was
when you were teen ager?
Here in Columbia Falls, We believe the teen
ayers are more alert than we were 20 years ago.
Where we'd smoke behind woodshed, they smoke
on the street On special occasions had of the
family car They frequently have car. Our rec
reation during the week involved cash for a show
ticket and candy bar or two. Families have con-
siderably more money today, and so do their teen
ayers.
It's different age, and certainly living in the
past if we continually compare teen-agers of 1854
with those of 1884 Instead the objective should be
hat we as adults improve standards so that better
BOYS and girls emerge from our own homes. One
.annot undo the past, but we can improve the
uture.
AS community Columbia Falls, as an ex-
ample, approaches the problem in a good way when
t plans to have the swimming pool in use next
uruer after being idle since 1916. MR.