Page:The Fraternity and the College (1915).pdf/44

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usually large this past year, said that the chapter house had seemed more to him like the headquarters of a convention than a home.

I have never been able to develop any great liking for the young fellow who was disloyal to his father—who evaded duties placed upon him or disregarded regulations which had been mutually agreed upon. I have always felt that a certain respect was due the head of the house which every child should recognize and give willingly. I have in mind a home where the father is a successful indulgent man proud of his sons. He is liberal with money and almost foolishly proud of any of the successes or accomplishments of his boys and girls. The children, however, seldom show him any consideration or respect. If they help in any way about the home or in his business it is a concession on their part they think, and they must be paid liberally; his opinions are ridiculed, his suggestions are ignored; his plans they never help to carry out, and they seldom regard any of his wishes. Their chief desire is to get from him money and privileges and to shirk personal responsibility. It is not a happy home, and there is in it very little that suggests real home life. When added to this disrespect of the younger members of the family there is the lack of coöperation of the older members, the family degenerates into merely a poor boarding house. These things are