In Touch With Youth…

In a writing on the rift between generations, a wise professor had some searching things to say: “There has hardly been a time . . . when students needed more attention and patient listening to . . . than today. The pity is,” he continued, “that so many of us retreat into” other interests and activities. “In so doing we deepen the rift between the generations . . .” Unfortunate as this may be, yet more unfortunate would be a rift between young people and their parents, young people and their families. A parent has two jobs⎯two at least among many more⎯one is to provide physical needs and facilities for a family; but beyond this to keep close, to be present and available for counsel and confidence, and not to seem to be always too busy. The one sure base on which life is founded is the home, the family. There is not and never can be any adequate substitute for solid, happy homes, for confidence, consideration, for love and understanding relationships between parents and children. They owe so much to each other. Schools and social institutions and all manner of outside activities may make their contribution. But we need to narrow the distance between us and our children. In the words of Jane Addams: “The mature of each generation run a grave risk of putting their efforts in a futile direction . . . unless they can keep in touch with the youth of their own day and know at least the trend in which their eager dreams are driving them.” There is nothing more important for which to live our lives than home and family and the teaching of our children and helping them to set an honorable course of conduct, with solid and safe standards on which to fix their feet. There has scarcely been a time when they need more attention. There is no better place to give it to them than in the home.