Beacon Villages
Under Cosdon Beacon Dartmoor Devon UK
| This page started when Andy White had been doing a bit of clearing up and came across some old photos and parish magazines. The articles have now been used up and I would be grateful if anyone has any old local papers or magazines from which to obtain more. |
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ADOLESCENCE 128 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WHY ARE BOYS ATTRACTED BY UNDESIRABLE GIRLS? My boy, sixteen years of age, and brought up in comparatively good circumstances, has fallen in with a girl living in a very low-class neighbourhood near here. He is seen about with her and neighbours have mentioned it to me frequently. I know nothing of the girl, but the position to me seems generally undesirable. I have not yet spoken to the lad, thinking that he might mention it to me, when I would be better placed to deal with it. He is rather sensitive, but I have implicit trust in his decency in every respect. What do you think can be the attraction, and is the matter one for serious thought? It is somewhat exceptional for a boy of sixteen to court a girl seriously. At that age the adolescent is usually more interested in sport and the doings of his particular boy friends or "gang." In any case, he would feel too self-conscious about the affair to discuss it at home. It is not always a good sign when a boy so young spends a great part of his free time in the company of girls. It looks as if his efforts to share the pursuits of other lads might have met with discouragement, and he turns from their more strenuous recreation to find solace in the company of the weaker sex. Another fact seems to point to this. Adolescents who have not too great a store of confidence frequently associate with others younger than themselves or of a lower level of intelligence. In this way they make sure of retaining their superiority. This may explain your boy's choice of a girl of an inferior station. You should ask your son to introduce you to the girl. There may be something about her character which appeals If she proves personally acceptable to you, point out to both young people that your son's career must be thought of first of all; time must not be wasted which could be profitably employed. But if you find the girl to be definitely of low character, you should point out to your son the danger he is incurring. Although adolescent love is often very passionate, it can easily change its object. The chances are that if your boy moved to another district he would soon find other attractions. In any case, it might be better for him to seek occupation away from home where he could get a new outlook on life.
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THE FIRST QUARREL .. And they were happy ever afterwards," is a romantic ending to a story that many people would not care to miss. One would like to believe it was so, but, unfortunately, married life is seldom like that. Even with the best-intentioned and most adaptable couples, occasions will often arise for disagreement and differences of outlook. When either husband or wife is willing to pay almost any price for peace, or lacks the courage to defend a position, there may be an appearance of harmony. But if the resentment is only hidden, it would be much better to show it, and make a stand for one's self, rather than harbour unkind thoughts which are bound to find an outlet, probably with redoubled force, later. The first quarrel takes the partners often by surprise. Neither has thought the other capable of such a hard and unbending attitude, and each feels that true love has ceased to exist. Both feel terribly unhappy and begin to wonder if this is the beginning of the end. The husband is puzzled how it comes about that his wife is so pitifully blind to indisputable facts, and the wife may honestly believe her husband is taking delight in being stubborn and tantalizing her. For a few hours they silently reproach each other, both looking the most injured of mortals. The young wife is hoping with all her heart that her tears and choking voice, will win him over, and she will have gained the first battle; while her husband is fully determined to prove his manly wisdom and authority, and trusts this will be a lesson she will remember. Then, when both are beginning to feel guilty and remorseful, and the strain is becoming unbearable, they catch each other's eyes and the next second are locked in a passionate embrace, mutually imploring forgiveness and vowing that they will never have another quarrel. But, of course, it does happen again and probably quite shortly, and this means more makings-up and more futile resolutions. Gradually husband and wife learn each other's tender points, and how to fence without making too dangerous a thrust. If both are tactful and considerate they will be able to ward off many a conflict, but should either try to domineer, there will be few days without a show of temper and an exchange of unkind words. |
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| Aunt Beat, Cousin Ellen & Mum 1929 | Girl Guides at the sea side 1927 | Aunt Flo and Mum 1931 |
If any visitor to this site has any scraps of history - old magazines, papers or photographs - we would be delighted to scan them, tidy them up and publish them and return them to you with copies of the 'tidied up' versions if you would like them. |
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