The Library of Work and Play: Guide and Index - Cheshire Lowton Boone

An Electrical Soldering Iron and Glue-pot, made at Suggestion of Instructor for Use in School Shop

Waterwheel Connected with Model Lathe

There is one more side (at least) to the boy and girl business—earning money. It is nothing short of marvelous that this desire for personal income, however small, has not been taken seriously. Why do children want to earn money? For the best reason in the world, independence. Man's entire existence from the earliest age down to the twentieth century has been one long struggle toward it—toward survival. First he had to combat the elements and animals, then his fellows, for possession of food, lands, water, raw materials, and wives. When he found that possession of certain commodities added to his importance and therefore comfort and safety, and especially to his privilege, he sought wealth and its freedom. Now the boy and girl follow stages in development toward similar independence, and among the privileges most desired is that of money or possessions of value. If they earn it, the amount represents so much work and gives the coins a fixed worth which cannot be established in other fashion. Moreover, this desire for income (rather than money) is one characteristic of the child between the ages of thirteen and fifteen years. His power of reasoning and organization are developing rapidly, and it is the time when adult ideals and actions first look attractive. The time is ever ripe for launching the boy or girl into any avocation which holds their fancy, that they may forget their own oblique tendencies to laziness, stubbornness, wayward action, and selfishness; these are all characteristic of the stage. Sex changes too play no inconsiderable part, because the boy's companions are for a time all masculine. Business of some kind is just what he needs, and if that business is profitable, a powerful motive is supplied. Perhaps the keenest interest is that in nature, and most children at some time have desired pets—chickens, rabbits, pigeons, dogs, song birds. There is scarcely a town or city condition where some animal hobby cannot be pursued without disturbing others' peace of mind. But it should be looked into seriously as a business, a miniature counterpart of other like enterprises. The disposal of personal service and products to others brings the child in close contact with numbers of adults and adult standards and business connections. It fosters responsibility and places upon the child the burden of proof, to show that he is entitled to a place as a valuable member of society. And just here it may be well to say, even if the child does not need the money he earns, it will be the most precious he will ever own, because since it came through effort, it will be spent with due caution.

The vegetable and flower garden may be made to yield similar returns and such products are always salable. In addition, every house, every yard, every farm is in constant need of repairs, changes and care which the alert boy or girl can furnish. The development of such odd tasks into a business parallels the development of every large enterprise which began in a modest way. It fosters the best of personal and civic ideals, and tames the restless, self-conscious energy of youth into smooth and profitable channels through which to journey in peace to a sane maturity.