The Hokitika Guradian MONDAY, JULY 24th., 1922. BRINGING UP CHILDREN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guradian MONDAY, JULY 24th., 1922. BRINGING UP CHILDREN.

Tiif.rk is one thing which all persons, whatever their sex and domestic condition, are confident of their ability tu do, and that is to formulate an ideal system for the training of the young. Even Mr G. B. Shaw, who, ns has been aptly observed, has never had a child, and has never known a child, and has never lieen a child, has written at some length upon the question of the upbringing of children. The latest contribution upon the subject is “ Thu Child and the Home,” by Dr Benr/on Liber, who in addition to a string of degrees, can claim to have practical experience in the field explored by him in this monograph. There is much in the hook, says a reviewer, with which many readers will disagree most profoundly. Dr Liber indulges in a great deal of loose and doctrinaire talk about tho iniquities of conventional education, particularly in history. Thus “ Killing if organised and done with the best tools and by an army after « war declaration by one or many representatives of tho people, liecomes an act of heroism. . • • Robbery on a largo scale, if legal or to he excused by legal means, is held as an honourable occupn_ tion, and given to the child as a model for emulation. . . He is taught to esteem and admire the rich; he learns to grow sentimental at the details of

their lives and deeds. Even in the socalled ‘democratic’ republics be is taught directly and indirectly to kneel mentally before monarchs and their an their families and before all sorts of aristocrats, whose titles have their origin in robbery and usurpation, and whose only merit it is to have been their parents | offspring. The common history books used in schools always tacitly or affinnativelv approve all the famous plundeis as indiseiissable facts, and all the great assassins as models to be imitated.” That, to put it mildly, is a gross overstatement. Again “ Murder, if done bv the State under a jury’s decision and in revenge for other murder Is called execution, and is permissable and

legal.” It is quite arguable that capital punishment is for various reasons undesirable, but to call it murder is a sheer abuse of terms. These extracts indicate the point of view from which Dr I jher approaches the problem of the rational training of children, and other of bis doctrines, though less prejudiced and extreme, will fail to commend themselves to the average parent. Thus, on the question of pocket-money Dr Liber holds that n child should lie given what it needs, and should in no circumstances be paid for services rendered at the parents’ request. But it is certainly arguable that a child should receive a sum that is fixed and is not based upon his needs at the moment. In this way he will learn to live within his income nhd acquire a sense of

financial reponsibilitv. Again, although it is obviously undesirable to ini rod nee the relationship of employer niul employes- between parent and child, there can be no harm in giving him a little reward for little extra tasks that he chooses to perform. It. for instance, lie weeds the garden in bis leisure, it is only fair that he should receive some recompense. After all, the child, like everyone else, is entitled to his fdaytime, and there is no danger that these gratuities will develop a mercenary spirit in him