The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1955-07-30
Parental Example
Continued from Back Page)
PATTERN SET BY ELDERS

PATTERN SET BY ELDERS
More important in their effects such normal ehiIdr.
in THE best families" he continued, ARE examples 81
whfseoIIsr crimes" conducted in their circles.
Children apt follow pattern by their elder.
Mr. Whesn pointed and the parent who drives far above
speed limits unless officer is in sight hardly expect hi,
offspring be ineveafsd with respect for the law general
An instructive acceptance Of fair play and consideration
for others which law is based best be cultivated m
example. and by avoiding the getting by jvs
within the law" attitude, he added
An address by Mr. Whslsn outlining the program Of N.
New York City Youth Board, opened day Of discussion Of
juvenile delinquency at the institute. which included visits 10
the privately operated progressive, Wwyek School BOYS
at Esopvs NJ ~ and the New York State School DeI
qvent Girls at Hudson.
The day ended with the 1890 pm screening Of the film
The Quiet One telling the story Of boy committed 10
Wiyek and demonstrating the system Of Consequences"
rather than pvnshmenfs and the successful program Of kind
y free and understanding frssiment which had been de-
serbsd at the school by its resident director. Walter John
CONDUCTED TOURS.
Even impressive for the institute members had been
their guidance around the school, in groups Of only two or
three, by Wfwyek boys themselves between the ages Of
and H. since the youngsters spontaneous re-
vesed Enthusiastically the kind Of atmosphere which prevailed
In answering questions during discussion periods. Mr.
Whssn urged the wisdom Of youth agency concentration on
detective work. before criminal tendencies develop dan
gerousy rather than later apprehension Of criminals
His board he explained attempting TO consolidate
contacts with teachers in grades low the
third that smofona disturbed children can be aided and
guided before they begin 70 get into trouble
GREATEST CHALLENGE
All adults he said help 70 the problem by
avoiding the tendency TO regard esn-ssers especially as
group apart and by trying TO look at life from their own
standpoint This standpoint he stressed is comfortable
The boys the first American generation COM
so far spent entirely in time Of preparation for
cold war;
AZ age requiring security for normal development"
he said many Of these children have grown up insecurity
and he added Seeing young people the threshold
tween childhood and adult independence the greatest eh
lsngs of time"
Asked whether his boards experience indicated that al.
fempfs TO strengthen home discipline by requiring parents
pay costs Of vandalism, achieved any worthwhile results Mr.
Whslsn replied: NO. That plan simply wdens the breach
between parents and children, producing control
and more bitterness against authority in general"
TOTALS ON DELINQUENCY
What is needed he held less public preoeevpson with
vensefuI punishment and with preventive early
movsI Of ineipenf causes Of delinquency.
After Mr.. WheIan and other speakers and rovndtbIs
members had presented figures delinquency such as
50oo total OF boys and girls hailed juvenile
1874 and statement that in every ~ youngsters be-
tween 10 and ~ years Of age in America now are Caught"
running sfov OF fhe law the evils Of artificial age groupings
were discussed.
In earlier erss, when large families grew up on farms
was pointed out the predominant grouping The household
itself Interests shared by members Of all aces and
sexes And outside Of the family staneh friendships
made by children with adults, we'll children Of their
own and vice This was state Of affairs IL was
said which made for wholesome balance Of thought
and conduct for all concerned.
But the modern system Of schools, in particular wiz,
tight groupings OF children Of the age and outside sv
I'VE. eonnsd largely TO these same groupings, have made
such wider friendship circles much difficult and have
tended to set age group against age group society
rsevvsfion Of broader friendship bounds was urged