198 Social Training for Farm Boys and Girls 



between the excess of the city and the deficit of the 

 country. So far as can be learned, very little has 

 been achieved in the matter of establishing just such a 

 social order in the rural communities as will tend 

 to develop the lives of the boys and girls in an ideal, 

 symmetrical way. We may not feel very certain 

 as to just how this ideal juvenile society should be 

 constructed. Nevertheless, an attempt will be made 

 to sketch in this chapter a working plan therefor. 

 Some may see fit to adapt it, while others may im- 

 prove it through practice. 



What especially needs to be thought of in the de- 

 velopment of any normal young life is the problem 

 of rounding out the character on all sides. There 

 are certain fundamental character-forming experi- 

 ences and disciplines, such as work, play, recreation, 

 and social intercourse. Many parents seem to be 

 possessed of the idea that they can develop their 

 children through play and social training alone. 

 Others seem to believe that hard work and plenty of 

 it is all that is necessary for the development of a 

 substantial character in the young. Still others 

 appear to allow their boys and girls to roam at will 

 and to indulge them only in the recreative experi- 

 ences. But how indefensible the idea that anyone 

 should try to find permanent joy and satisfaction 

 through recreative experiences without first having 

 had as their counterpart the experience of work and 

 the responsibilities that pertain thereto ! 



