DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

Evening Star, Issue 24330, 20 October 1942, Page 2

DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

A “ chi el ” has been taking notes of children's homes conducted by Protestant Churches in New Zealand, and the results are published by the Council for Educational Research. The held was a pioneer one to explore, and Mr H. G. Mathew, as the deputy superintendent of a Borstal institution, the holder of a -New York diploma in social work, and a former minister of the Presbyterian Church, was specia.ly well qualified for his survey. Twenty-three institutions' were visited and studied, only « third of those earing for dependent children, but be.ieved to be a representative selection. “ Dependent ” children, who go into church homes, are to be distinguished from “ neglected ” children, for whom the State provides, chiefly under the board-ing-out system. In these church homes Mr Mathew found a great deal to approve, along with defects, caused by lack of accommodation or too conventional methods, in regard to which his suggestions should have no little value tor eontrolling committees and staffs. Jwo points which he makes stand out for their public interest. Surprisingly enough, there are no training facilities for social workers in New Zealand. That is a real drawback, because, however much a man may be fitted by sympathy and common sense and perfected by experience for the work, he will always gain something from theory ami from keeping himself abreast of ideas.

•.The other point was brought out when inquiries were made as to the effect of the religious training, for which those church homes provide an exceptional opportunity, not by any means neglected in practice, on the later histories of the children. There was no information to show that more of those become associated with the Churches afterwards or present better records of conduct than of children brought up in normal homes. Cue superintendent said quite frankly that orphanage work must seek its justification wholly on other grounds. On the other hand, there was evidence of a negative reaction on the part of some children. One explanation given was that the staff members did not always turn out to be outstanding Christians, and another that young people, after leaving the homes, found the average church service unattractive. Having reference to children who are in no sense delinquents, the finding is disappointing. It has its moral for those people who tend to think that all would he well with the state of Denmark given more religions instruction, however formal, in its sehoo’s. It is the vital quality and conviction, not the quantity, of religion that counts.