Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-07-07
Hits for Mrs.
BY Dorothy Waleski
Garden 4-SSS9

were startled this past hot and
holiday weekend by an apologize
voice over the phone asking them
for their views on vandalism, the
and ways to prevent same.
To give credit, everyone man,
aged, after a gulp and a gasp, to
come up with some very reason
able answers.
Those of you who do not find
yourself quoted below, can count
among the luck ones
saved by the bell-by not answer
ing it, that is!
In spite of the absences, l think
| am offering a fair sampling of
opinion from women who are
families and taking an &C.
tive part in the community as
well.
Everyone, who had read the
SENTINEL'S story of last week
on the extent of vandalism i'm
the county, agreed with Mrs.
Richard Nearman of Vain.
wright Ave. who commended
our paper for bringing out the
facts of this problem so that
they can be openly discussed
and publicly faced.
Mrs. Nearman, mother of three
children and chairman of the
Junior Women's Clubs special
project of stimulating action on
the Rockville civic center, cited
this project as one answer to the
problem of vandalism.
"A gathering place for teen
ayers where they can socialize
without getting into trouble is one
of the city's greatest needs" said
Mrs. Nearman.
In this, she was backed by the
president of her club, Mrs. James
a mother from Rock
crest, who pointed out that teen
ayers resent being pushed or or
gained too much by adults but
instead like to feel that they are
their own entertain
ment.
Another point of view which
does not contradict this but am
plifies it, is that teenagers also
need to feel a certain amount of
restraint and support in the back
ground.
That to fulfill this need is main
ly the responsibility of the par
ents was expressed repeatedly by
the women contacted.
Parents should know where
their children are and what
they are doing at all times to
save the children unnecessary
grief" was the opinion of Mrs.
Stewart Crump of Evans ST.,
who has two boys and is active
in PTA and the Junior WOman's
Club.
Parents who for one reason or
another do not know their chill
dren'S whereabouts are in a large
responsible for the sense
less destruction of vandalism, ac-
cording to Mrs. Rosemary Moran,
wife of our city recreation direc-
tor and mother of three boys.
Mrs. Moran, who has taught
school, also felt that it was the
responsibility of the community
through the schools and recrea-
ton activities to work with the
parents to solve the problem and
help the children. She expressed
shock at a "boys will be boys" at
titude quoted in the Sentinel
story.
The need for a closer parent.
child relationship was expressed
by Mrs. Brian Benson of Roxboro
Rd. and Mrs. Winnie Reid of Brent
Ave. who cited too the need for a
teenage center as a gathering
place.
On the other hand, Mrs. Leo
Mccarthy of TwinbrOOk feels
that recreation facilities are use.
less unless they are given the
active support of the parents.
In this opinion she was Joined
by Mrs. Robert Lee of Coral Sea
Ave. who has two children of her
own and takes care of another
for u working mother.
Both of these women speak
from experience as leaders in rec
reation for the young people.
Mary Mccarthy says that from
the parents of the 200 boys in the
Little Baseball League not more
than 2 per cent are willing to co.
operate or even show up at the
games.
Mary also believes that 50 per
cent of the parents don't know
where their children are 50 per
cent of the time! Mary'S answer
to all juvenile problems is "more
love, security and confidence
from parents plus channeling the
children's interests in the proper
direction by the parents and not
by outsiders"
In fact, Mary Mccarthy turned
out 10 be a GOLD mine of idnas for