Broadening Of Education

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 2

Broadening Of Education

The concept of education had acquired a broader meaning. Persons today expected it to include, not only instruction in academic and technical skills and in the provinces which equipped the young to be responsible citizens, but also understanding in personal relationships, the Dominion president of the League of Mothers, Mrs BeatriceJagusch, told a meeting of Christchurch branches this week.

“This aspect of education, with particular emphasis on preparation for marriage and family life, is becoming an integral part of our provision for the rising generation,” she said.

Boys and girls needed to learn kindness, discrimination. and the ability to be

selective In a world with an abundant choice of leisure activities. They needed to learn how to select company, programmes. art. and literature and a disciplined sense of values.

A well-educated boy or girl could be described as one who knew what was first rate: had developed a good sense of values; was capable of independent thought; was able to distinguish fact and to be capable of judgment; was free from prejudice; knew humility and charity; and realised his or her limitations, said Mrs Jagusch. Family Relations

Speaking on family relationships, Mrs Jagusch said that personal relationships within the family were hard to keep on an even keel today. Personal liberty was greater, with husband, wife, and children all having outside inter-! ests.

A wife was able to work and earn often as much as or more than her husband. This had created a new independ-

,ence between husband and wife. People felt free to find their own paths to follow. 'They had less respect for old rules and conventions and while Western countries were istill called Christian, many had no idea of what that meant she said. Young people hurried without much thought into marriage, were confused in their thinking, especially in their aims in life and attitudes in living together. Many were not sure of their goals. “These and Other reasons of health, selfishness, ignorance, alcohol, poor budgeting and management, help to throw greater strains on the modern marriage, resulting in the high : rate of broken homes, and in , the number of unhappy child- i ren wh» start the cycle over again,” said Mrs Jagusch. The family which could» look forward to'happiness was j one vffiose members had 1 learned to get along with each x other, who adhered to the simple of Christian beliefs—iself discipline, kindness, thoughtful to others.

and ability to forgive and a confident outlook. Understanding Needed Marriage was a partnership and required continuous effort and understanding from both partners tp keep a balanced relationship. A wife should encourage her husband in his work and interests and to reach out into the world or the community in the best interests of all but not at the

expense of his family responsibilities. She must never allow him [to feel that he is unwanted or (inadequate in the home. “She [should ask his advice on dopnestic matters. This is what [is meant by maintaining the [balance of marriage,” said pMrs Jagusch. Speaking on morals, Mrs Jagusch said that in times of [great spiritual and moral (crises an era of carnality erupted, bringing with it rejection <rf God and authority, violence, and pleasure before duty. This cultural decay revealed itself in two areas—(family and public life. ‘Teen-agers, when frus- i [trated in these two important, [areas of life, look for some, (kind of escape. From them (come beatniks who are actu-| ally in protest against culture. I They ridicule everything because they have no confidence in anything and abandonment becomes a substitute for ■creativeness,” said Mrs Jagusch.