THE PROBLEM OF YOUTH (Part 2)
By Rev. T. Grealy, 1944
Part 1 is here.
THE PROBLEM OF YOUTH
By Rev. T. Grealy
Early to Bed
Under no circumstances should a child be allowed out at night unless in the company of a reliable adult. Late hours must not be a regular part of his life. There is still much truth in the saying, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise.”
Growing boys, especially after the age of 12, are to be encouraged to rise early for their physical and moral benefit. There is no necessity to enlarge on this point. If a child retires at an early hour he will be able to rise early. You will no doubt ask what the child will do when he does rise early? You will complain that he will walk about the house and wake the others in the home.
Hand in hand with sound religious training go good manners. If he is trained to give consideration to others, he will not offend in this direction.
In the spring, summer and autumn he may be able to go for a swim, if he is fortunate enough to live near a swimming baths. Bike-riding (with good company) is an excellent form of exercise. Failing these recreations, it is always possible for him to improve himself by reading and by learning his school work. As a matter of fact, the morning is the most suitable time to learn lessons.
A Free Country
Obedience and respect for authority are the foundation of a good moral training. In Australia we boast of our freedom, but I am afraid that we have a false idea of freedom. True freedom is not license, and we must not think that our freedom allows us to do just what we like without any consideration for others.
Children hear their elders speaking so much about Australia as a free country that they think that they can do as they please. They revolt when their freedom is curtailed in any way.
We, in Australia, really do enjoy a certain amount of freedom in comparison with some other countries. Any freedom that we enjoy does not mean that we are allowed to disregard the commandments of God. The moral law remains the same no matter how much freedom we may have under other laws.
For example, children cannot conclude from the fact that Australia is a free country that they may disregard the fourth commandment. Nor can we conclude from the same fact that we need not observe the commandment binding us to keep the Sunday holy. No amount of freedom as far as the Civil Law is concerned can excuse us from the observance of the Law of God.
The idea of freedom in this country has been exaggerated to such an extent that people are quite satisfied to do the bare essentials in everything. There seems to be a lack of initiative even in the ordinary duties of life.
When it is a matter of religious practices, e.g., hearing Mass on Sundays, the duty is fulfilled more from OBLIGATION than from a spirit of religion and love. How many there are who could attend Mass on week-days and who do not bother about it. The same may be said about Evening Devotions. It seems that religion is not yet a part of the daily life of the individual.
The Model Family
The family is the foundation of the State. Unless the family is well trained we cannot expect the citizens to carry out their duties as good members of society. If you destroy the home or family life you will destroy the life blood of the State.
The State should exist for the benefit of its members, not the members for the State. If we reverse this doctrine we substitute the glorification of the State, which is the unfortunate and disastrous teaching of some Countries at the present time.
The model for each family is the Holy Family of Nazareth, in which an ideal can be found for every member. The State should not (and indeed does not) interfere with family life unless forced to do so by the incompetence of the parents.
Let every parent then make home life such that interference will not be necessary. Removing children from the control of their parents is really the last resource of the State. Any social teaching which gives the State control of every child from birth to 18 years of age is to be condemned.
Religion in the Home
Religion need not become objectionable to members of the household. If religion becomes part of the family life, it is no longer a burden but a joy. Children look to their elders for good example, and it would be very sad if this example was not found in the parents.
We hear people say that they had too much religion when they were young. That is wrong. The truth is that their religious training in the home was not done in the correct way. Instead of training the child in the love of God, and teaching it to serve God through love, parents have made religious training appear to be something superimposed.
In other words, religion has not been made part of their lives. They were given a superficial knowledge of it and were not made to feel that their daily conduct should be regulated by it. They have failed to realize that they depend on God for everything.
Moral Responsibility
Materialism and Communism are closely allied in that both deny the existence of God, and the former prepares the way for the latter. Both take away from man his dignity as a human being.
Materialism makes man an irresponsible being, independent of any moral law, with no sense denying the existence of God, removes from man all restraint no matter in what direction his passions may tend. Of course it is a convenient doctrine to deny moral responsibility.
Pagan Tendency
In some branches of sport we notice a tendency towards paganism, both in the nature of the sport and in the dress worn for it. On our beaches the costumes are anything but modest. We are told that we must move with the times, follow fashion, etc., otherwise we are looked on as old-fashioned. Notice how any attempt by those in authority to correct this abuse is resented.
Another example of the false idea of Freedom! The street dress adopted by some girls is no better than that used on the beaches. Probably girls do not realize what a danger they can be to persons of the opposite sex when they go about dressed in such attire. On the other hand, boys seem to think that they, too, can go about scantily clad without being a danger to girls.
The laws of modesty bind boys and girls alike. There are NO exceptions to these laws. Every boy and girl should be taught to treasure the holy virtue of modesty.
Indiscriminate Associations
Indiscriminate associations with the opposite sex are not conducive to the preservation of good morals. They become a source of temptation to both, and this temptation usually ends in disaster. Yet we hear young boys and girls openly boasting about such associations, and we find foolish parents who do not take steps to protect their children.
Some children have scarcely reached their teens when they look for and frequently find a companion of the opposite sex. Parents will tell you that they see no harm in their children associating freely with those of the opposite sex. It is evident that they do not realize how dangerous the practice can be.
Surely they are not blind to the fact that their children are human like other children, and that their children are no more proof against temptation than their companions.
Parents are reluctant to speak to their children about such matters or to advise them. “It is only putting badness into their head” is the plea.
When a child reaches the age of 14 there is no necessity for anyone to “put badness” into his head if it is a matter of temptations against the virtue of purity. The child should be correctly advised by its parents so that no wrong ideas will develop in the mind.
A child at this age needs help and advice. Once the child feels that someone is taking an interest in him he will experience more courage to resist temptation. Advice of this nature should come from the correct source, namely, from the parents, and the child is to be warned not to listen to unauthorized persons speaking on the subject.
The reading of secular books dealing with sex matters or viewing motion pictures treating with the same subject is not only to be discouraged amongst Catholic children but forbidden. Let the parents do their duty. They will find sufficient Catholic books on the subject that will give their children all the advice and instruction they need.
When children have been taught their prayers and have learned portion of their religious duties, they are inclined to think they know enough about religion. If they wish to succeed in business or in some other occupation they will continue to study for years after school age. Is it not far more important to learn as much as possible about the work of salvation?
It is possible to learn more every day. In addition to what a child learns from the catechism there is much about which he can and should be warned. His experience is not as wide as older people. There are many things that children need to be told.
Sign up for the Giveaway by following the link here.
You could win this lovely veil/scarf and the 2 books below!
Undoubtedly youth is a most beautiful thing of itself. But, if you have in this tender flower, the shining whiteness of Christian purity, then you have human beauty displayed as something noble and exalted, attracting the admiration and imitation of those who see it. ~Pope Pius XII
Wire-Wrapped Religious Necklaces!
Each link is handmade and wrapped around itself to ensure quality. Get it blessed and wear it as a sacramental.
Available here.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary:
Blessed Mother:
A Wonderful Book! The Story of Sister Maria Teresa Quevedo. “For Him alone I have lived.” The Story of a Nun. Venerable Maria Teresa Quevedo 1930-1950. Maria Teresa Quevedo was a lively modern girl-a talented dancer, an expert swimmer, an outstanding tennis player, who devoted herself to generous works of sacrifice. Her life can be summed up by her own motto, “May all who look at me see you, O Mary.” Throughout her life, Teresita was an inspiration and a delight to everyone around her as she calmly strove to exemplify Christian virtue in her everyday life. Teresita tried to do everything perfectly. As a girl living with her parents, she was an obedient child. With her friends, she was not only respected but popular. As a sodalist, she gave evidence as being a born leader for Mary. As a tennis player, she was an expert. As captain of her basketball team, she consistently led the group to victory. At any young people’s gathering which she attended, she was the life of the party. When Teresita entered the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity, she did so because she desired to become a saint and to devote all her life to Jesus and Mary. But, in her own words, she wished to become a “little saint, for I cannot do big things.” Teresita’s cause for canonization is now under examination in the Sacred Congregation of Rites. “You will find the story of this popular beautiful girl an inspiration. It is a happy biography . . . Don’t miss it.” -Herbert O’H Walker, S.J.
Come and shop the Mother’s Day Sale at TAN BOOKS!
My favorite place to shop for books!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you kindly for your support.
This was excellent! Thank you! And very much needed! 😇