As suggested above, the evidence is very overwhelming in effect that it is the duty of rural parents to give their children a broad, general course of training as a foundation for efficient life in any place or position. Moreover, it must not be thought for a moment that the legacy of money or property will in any wise furnish a satisfactory substitute for such a course of training. Mean-spiritedness and narrow-mindedness are almost invariably prominent traits of the man who has been prepared to know nothing outside of his business even though that may be a big business. On the other hand, extensive culture, including a character well developed in all of its essential elements, is by far the best equipment that can possibly be furnished the boy for his start in life.
Now, while the growing boy’s education must not be especially prejudiced in favor of any particular calling, there is no good reason why the farmer’s son should not be given the benefit of every possible intimate and wholesome relation to the father’s work and business. That is, he must not be forced to take up the vocation of farming, but he must be given every opportunity to know its best meanings and advantages. And if he is finally to leave for some foreign occupation, he must go with a profound sense of the possible worth and integrity of the calling of his father. Then, in order that there may be maintained most friendly relations between the farm boy and the farm life, see to it that he has an occasional outing. Widen the scope of his home environment by means of sending him outside occasionally. Let him go off to the state and county fair and learn what he can there. Let him participate in the grain and stock judging contests, as heretofore recommended. Let him attend some of the larger sales of blooded stock and learn there to know more intimately the possibilities of animal husbandry. Accompany him on a trip to the big city occasionally—under proper provisions and restrictions—and help him to acquire some valuable lesson which may be taken back to the rural community and used to the advantage of the latter.
Also, what about the literature in the home? Although a chapter has already been given to the matter, for the sake of emphasizing its great importance it is again referred to here. Why not see to it that there be secured a few enticing volumes of the clean and uplifting sort? A very few dollars will furnish the nucleus of a library of which the boy will soon become proud. Ask the school superintendent or teacher to make out a list of ten of the best books for your boy and then secure these at once. Bring into the home also one or two of the best standard magazines and keep constantly on the table one or more of the best and cleanest newspapers. Then, see to it that the boy’s life be not so nearly dragged out during the day’s work that he cannot spend thirty minutes or more of each evening at the reading table.
Develop an interest in humanity
All education is for the sake of human welfare. The thing learned like the material thing possessed is most worth while in proportion as it serves some high human purpose or need. There is abundant opportunity to teach the country boy that education cannot well exist for its own sake or purely for one’s own selfish uses. So it is well early to awaken the youth’s interest in people. Have him compare his own lot with that of others in very different circumstances. Take him occasionally to the orphanage, the industrial (reform) school, the imbecile and insane asylums, the prisons, and the sweat-shops in the city. Thus through acquainting him with how the other half lives you may cause the boy to reflect seriously on the best meanings and possibilities of his own life, and to plan in his mind a splendid ideal of integrity for his own coming manhood.
The boy’s education is not going on rightly if he is not being introduced to the current affairs of the world. The literature suggested above should be made to serve the purpose of bringing his attention to these matters. He should become interested in the political welfare of his community, his state, and his nation, and learn to feel his responsibility in regard to such things. But he will probably not voluntarily acquire these better relations to society at large. It should therefore be regarded as the urgent duty of the parent to give the necessary guidance and instruction.
Finally, we must again be reminded of the high ideals of education and culture necessary to, and consistent with, substantial country life. The greatest of producing classes—the agronomists—must and can in time rank at the head of all others in moral and intellectual worth. So, let the rural parent look ahead and formulate in his own mind the splendid vision of his son grown up to full maturity of all his best powers. Let him see this future citizen as a man of magnanimity, of splendid personal force, and of great constructive ability in the important work of budding up the affairs of the community in which he is to live.
REFERENCES
Chapters in Rural Progress. President Kenyon L. Butterfield. Chapter VI. “Education for the Farmer.” University of Chicago Press.
Education for the Iowa Farm Boy. H. C. Wallace. Pamphlet. (Free.) Chamber of Commerce, Des Moines.
Value during Education of a life Career Motive. C. W. Eliot. Annual Volume N.E.A., 1910.
To keep Boys on the Farm. M. E. Carr. Country Life. April 1, 1911.
Education Best Suited for Boys. R. P. Halleck. Annual Volume N.E.A., 1906. p. 58.
The Training of Farmers. Dr. L. H. Bailey. The Century Company. Contains a statistical study of why boys leave the farm.
The Best Thing a College does for a Man. President Charles F. Tawing. Forum, Volume 18. p. 570.
The Care of Freshmen. President W. O. Thompson. Annual Volume N.E.A., 1907. p. 723.
Proceedings of Child Conference for Research and Welfare. Page 142. “The Discipline of Work.” Frederick P. Fish. G. E. Stechert & Co., New York.
The Young Man’s Problem. Educational Pamphlet No. 1. Society of Sanitary and Moral Prophylaxis. New York. 10 cents. Every parent should read this excellent discussion on sex education.