PARENTS TO-DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1925, Page 3

PARENTS TO-DAY

DANGEROUS LACK OF CONTROL OF CHILDREN. PROBATION OFFICER’S WORK. WELLINGTON. 'January 19. “The public- have heard it many times, and must he becoming tired of the story, - ’ said the Juvenile Probation Officer (Mr E. >S*. Shell) yesterday, in speaking on the working of the.post year in connection with young delinquents. “Still,” he continued. “the fact remains that there is still a dangerous lack of parental control in our homes. The question of parental control is a big thing, and it is time we grasped it properly, ft is no use blaming the children for what they do; neither is the majority of eases able able to he attributed to the fact that the parents are not good and kind. The fact i.s that they are too easy going.” PETTY THIEVING. An outstanding feature of the past year lin.s been the increase in the number of children appearing in the Juvenile Court. In 1923 there were 123 court cases, whereas-in 1921 there were 298. The most prevalent offence was petty thieving, there being, however, many eases of mere mischief. For this reason the probation office lias Icon strenuously worked for its activities are not confined to court work and the direct punishment of children who appear there. There are boys under the control of the Wellington office, although they are resident many miles from the capital city.

“UP TO THE FATHER.” Asked what he thought was tHe cause of such an increase in offences, Mr Shell said it was most difficult to say. Tt would he hard to speeily a cause. He did think, however, that parents could materially help by exercising a more judicious and restraining influence over their offspring. It was no use expecting a hoy to grow into a useful and right-thinking citizen if his mother were left to do everything. Tt was up to the father to make a pal of him. and let him know what was expected of him in life. “PICTURES” NOT TO BLAME. Mr Shell said he was not one of those who believed the pictures were at the root of the evil, and that a ban on them would prove a panacea. But there could he more judgment used. For instance, Germany lias long had a system whereby there are special sessions for children, and at the eonelusion the theatres are entirely cleared for a period. Again. Mr Shell pointed out, it was no use labelling a film as “lit only lor adults, ’ a.s this was'the best form of advertisement, and girls bad even been known to put their hair up in order to gain admission. ADVICE READILY GIVEN. The work outside the court was extensive. said the probation officer, and although parents came to them for consultation they did not. -come often enough. If parents would only realise that the office was there for their benefit, anil that if they would hut seek advice (which would lie given in complete confidence) it would be readily given, more much-needed work * ouhl be done. Tile preventive system whereby boys were stopped fr nu eute.rug the court lit all, positions found- for a liclpng hand extended, was doing a great deal of good, and it was instituted to save publicity. There were 1(> boys at the home in. Austin street, and there they were being brought up on the right lines. “I do not believe in corporal punishment,” said Mr Shell, “hut leave things to the honour of the hoys. There is never a window or door locked, and we never have a runaway; or rather, only two have attempted in the past two and a half vciirs.” DECREASE SINGE WAR. T|... war has been blamed for many things, and the prohnlinu Miner was asked whether tier- had been an increase ill dclinquei.ee since this period. Tt appears tin t in Auckland alone the numbers reached their height at dU> in 1919. but since then there has been a gradual falling oil. until this past- year again showed a sharp) rise, as indicated above. With the exception of about 18, cases the total in Auckland in 1919 was higher than those of all the other ecutr<»s oo mhi nod. The probation office, whose rdafl was praised hy Air Shell, is doing good work, hut as he pointed out. were parnuts to realise that ihov do not go there and receive publicity., but the utmost confidence and attention, more Ktill could be clone.