=(6) “New Education"=

Several witnesses have claimed that the philosophy underlying the New Zealand education system is a predisposing cause of sexual delinquency, but in the absence of direct evidence, which is obviously difficult to obtain, such claims can only be an expression of personal opinion.  Similarly, the terms “play way” and “free expression” have been quoted to show that traditional external disciplines have given way to a concentration on the development of the personality of the child—­a development which could lead to licence.  But as there are not sufficient comparative figures available for New Zealand, and as reports from overseas suggest that the pattern of immorality is a world-wide one, the Committee is unable to reach a conclusion on this matter.

It does, however, feel justified in suggesting that nothing but benefit could come from representatives of the Department of Education attending meetings of Parent-Teacher and Home-and-School Associations to enable responsible and interested parents to obtain a clearer understanding of modern educational aims before expressing their views.

IX.  Community Influences

In an examination of the factors which promote juvenile delinquency special attention must be given to the type of community in which children grow up.  The more normal and well balanced a community is, the greater are the child’s chances of developing a well-balanced personality.  The teaching at school may be good, the home training satisfactory, but these good influences may be upset by defects in the neighbourhood.  When the atmosphere of home or school is unsatisfactory, the chances of normal healthy development are made progressively worse for any child whose community environment is also poor.

=(1) Housing Development=

In New Zealand there are a number of communities which have grown quickly and have become unbalanced.  No one doubts the urgent need that there has been for houses to accommodate a rapidly expanding population.  On the other hand, in the light of experience, it is considered that wise planning in the future could avoid some of the disadvantages which have become evident in these areas.  These disadvantages are: 

(a) Fewer Adults

Large-scale housing is primarily for married people with growing families.  Eventually the number of young people is much greater than the number of adults.  There is a pronounced difference between a settlement of mushroom growth and one that has developed gradually with large family homes and smaller homes, grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and children.

In order to illustrate the disparity between the adult and juvenile population in all such areas the Committee obtained from the Education Department a statement of the primary and secondary school children in Wellington and the Hutt Valley as at 30 August 1954: