Youth / edited by T.N. Kelynack.

  • Kelynack, T. N. (Theophilus Nicholas), 1866-1944.
Date:
[1913]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Youth / edited by T.N. Kelynack. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    16/168 (page 4)
    YOUTH: and a higher level attained. The annual rate of growth in height, weight, and strength is increased and often doubled, and even more. Important functions previously non-existent arise. Growth of parts and organs loses its former propor- tions, some permanently and some for a season. Some of these are still growing in old age and others are soon arrested and atrophy. The old moduli of dimensions become obsolete, and old harmonies are broken. The range of individual differences and average errors in all physical measurements and all psychic tests increases. Some linger long in the childish stage and advance late or slowly, while others push on with a sudden outburst of impulsion to early maturity. . . . Modern life is hard, and in many respects increasingly so, on youth. Home, school, church fail to recognize its nature and needs and, perhaps most of all, its perils.’ And yet youth, as Dr. Stanley Hall further tells us, is ' the golden age of adult influence, provided one is wise enough not to offend.’ Youth is the season of plasticity and reasonableness. In adolescent days life-long impressions are made. As Dr. F. H. Hay- ward insists : ' Reason, conscience, and will develop, at this period of life, an enormous momentum. It is the time of doubt—and doubt means reason ; the time of hero-worship—and hero-worship means con- science 5 the time of friction against environment— and such friction means will. Take all three together and they give us personality. Adolescence is the first period in life when the teacher has to deal with a complete personality. Under our present civiliza- tion it is the last period of life when plasticity survives.