They fell into four groups. Foremost was my education; there were ten in that group:—all as unintelligent and old as thinking that a city grammar school education was enough for any boy. As soon as I was old enough to work it would be useless to educate myself any further. I wouldn’t need it any way. It would be wasting time that should be spent in learning a trade. They had decided that the “building line” was the safest to work in and therefore I must become a bricklayer or a carpenter or something that “pays good.” That I should have some say as to what I should take up for life they thought foolish—I would only pick out something that wouldn’t bring enough salary. “Look at your big brother—he’s got a nice steady job as a mailman; he didn’t need any extra, expensive schooling.”
Next were my religious and spiritual ideals. There were four in that group. They were quite as dogmatic in their “thou must nots” as those in the church ritual they wished us to believe explicitly. Superstition played a big part in the religion they wanted us to believe. Theirs was a Sunday religion, and, not practicing it themselves, it was absurd for them to ask our respect on that score.
Economically they were quite positive that only they were capable of taking care of things. We were not able to spend our own money in a sensible way and were not to be trusted with deciding what should be done with what was saved or earned. As to their ideas on the subject, there were six ways in which I showed them where I differed.
The longest and most significant group was that dealing with the way things were being run in the home. Methods that were retarding my growth—mentally and physically. There were thirteen of them, each with their minor details—such as the one “My Room.” Without being meanly selfish I asked for at least a little privacy while studying or at sleep; that the room not be used as a wardrobe for quite the entire family; and that I be allowed to take care of it, as to arrangement, decorations, and airing. Which last word reminds me that their ideas of hygiene were quite antiquated, and must be changed and enlarged upon. Absurd as it may seem, they still insisted that night air was dangerous; that one towel, tooth brush, bar of soap, and brush and comb were enough for one family (those I got for my personal use were immediately appropriated by the rest of the family); that too much bathing is dangerous; and as for swimming, mother heard of a boy drowning with the cramps when she was a girl,—therefor her son must not go near the water; that exercising is “nonsense”; that menus must contain meat and numerous other heavy foods at every meal; and that children, no matter how young, are able to digest whatever adults can. These are a few instances of parental ideas that were useless so far as I was concerned. Was a rebellion necessary? It was in my case and I may as well add that it has already had results—to give the details would, I fear, be getting too personal. I have been so already, perhaps, but it may induce those who called the Preface absurd to read it again.
Significant Books of the Season
WHAT MEN LIVE BY
By
Dr. Richard C. Cabot
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RELIGIOUS CONFESSIONS AND CONFESSANTS
By
Anna Robeson Burr