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Right Education
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Teachers should not stop here, but should give special attention
to the cultivation of the weaker faculties, that all the powers may
be brought into exercise and carried forward from one degree of
strength to another, that the mind may attain due proportions.
Cause of Instability in Youth
There are many families of children who appear to be well trained
while under the training discipline; but when the system which has
held them to set rules is broken up, they seem to be incapable
of thinking, acting, or deciding for themselves. These children
have been so long under iron rule, not allowed to think and act for
themselves in those things in which it was highly proper that they
should, that they have no confidence in themselves to move out upon
their own judgment, having an opinion of their own. And when they
go out from their parents to act for themselves, they are easily led
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by others’ judgment in the wrong direction. They have not stability
of character. They have not been thrown upon their own judgment
as fast and as far as practicable, and therefore their minds have not
been properly developed and strengthened. They have been so long
absolutely controlled by their parents that they rely wholly upon
them; their parents are mind and judgment for them.
On the other hand, the young should not be left to think and
act independently of the judgment of their parents and teachers.
Children should be taught to respect experienced judgment. They
should be so educated that their minds will be united with the minds
of their parents and teachers, and so instructed that they can see the
propriety of heeding their counsel. Then when they go forth from
the guiding hand, their characters will not be like the reed trembling
in the wind....
Those parents and teachers who boast of having complete control
of the minds and wills of the children under their care would cease
their boastings could they trace out the future lives of the children
who are thus brought into subjection by force or through fear. These
are almost wholly unprepared to share in the stern responsibilities
of life. When these youth are no longer under their parents and
teachers, and are compelled to think and act for themselves, they
are almost sure to take a wrong course and yield to the power of