TOO MUCH AMUSEMENT.

Shannon News, 13 November 1923, Page 4

TOO MUCH AMUSEMENT.

MODERN SCHOOLGIRL CRITICISED A circular, full of criticism of the modern Australian schoolgirl, was issued recently by the. mistresses of Firbank, Korowa, Lowther Hall, St. Michael's, and Tintern (Glenferrie) Church of England Girls' Grammar Schools to parents of scholars (says tne Melbourne Argus). The circular, which is the out come of a conference of head mistresses held during the Christmas vacation, refers to the irresponsibility of parents, the excessive provision of pocket money, and the love -of a "good time" by the girls. "Everything should b'e done," it states, "to lessen the all too-prevalent luxury and extravagance common among schoolgirls. The question of pocket money has always been a 'difficulty in the schools. This is an age of "nerves," a malady from which both old and young suffer, the cause being the overcrowding of life. The feeling ■ of strain has extended to th'e lives of young boys and girls, with the result that ; we are turning out a race of blase young people, whose horizon, for the

most part, seems to be bounded by the wish for a good-timer- The average boy or girl has a multiplicity l of engagements from which to -choose, and the late hours and greed fo"r more 'excitement in every fresh pleasure are showing their bad effect in the schoolroom. Th'e result of repeated indulgence in social amusements are often attributed to the strain of examinations or sports. The ideal of a.disciplined life is not sot. before the adolescent. Self-gratiii-cation is encouraged to such an extent that children are allowed even to choose their own schools, places of amusemeni, friends, and holiday resorts. School teachers agree that the girls of to-day are harder to control than those ten, or even five, years ago, the.reason apparently being that less discipline is exercised in the Home. The deference due to age and position is neither exaeted nor offered. • Schools are urging parents to limit not only the number, but elaborateness of enter: tainments for the young, bchool life has >a variety of interests, and while outside social life is necessary, it should be limited to three entertainments a term. Such parties should take place at week-ends, and should close not later than Ho 'clock. There is no reason for the new custom of repaying hospjtal by return dances, each .succeeding hostess trying to outvie ' the other, in novelty and brilliance.'' On the question of money, the circu- , lar states that parents should make ;i fixed pocket arid dross allowance on a more modest scale than at present.