The Barns Experiment
- Author:
David Wills. Allen <x
Unwin. Price 8s. 6d.
No one who is interested in the bringing up of children in groups and, in particular, in the reclamation of problem boys, should miss this book. This tale of the running of an Evacuation Hostel for 30 boys, selected because they were difficult, describes more than a wartime experiment, it is an important contribution to . our knowledge. The basis of the method used was the conviction that satisfactory development depends on security in affection. Where parents had failed to supply this and the boy was in consequence openly or indirectly up against the world, it was all the more necessary for the staff to give him unfailing affectionate understanding, however unlovable his exterior. This good relationship as the desirable background for the recovery of children who have become rebels or shirkers against social duties and are failing in individual achievement, will be accepted, though perhaps in other terms, by most students of Psychology. Not all, however, of the author’s theories can be passed without question. In particular, what he Writes about punishment and of the child’s relationship to Authority arouses some comment. Indeed, his practice seems at variance with his theories, for though “shared responsibility ” is the rule, and the boys through the ” Ministers ” they have elected and their own Assembly, exact penalties from their members, he does not hesitate to exert his personal authority where necessary and to enforce certain rules.
On reflection one sees that punishment is not limited to beatings or fines, but where there is affectionate response, disapproval may be punishment enough. The Weak have to set up rules and penalties to enforce their orders, a strong man can dispense with these, but he cannot help chastising (even if only metaphoricall}’) those whom he loves. Children in virtue of their childish dependence, receive reward and punishment in some form or other from those whose functions it is to guide them. % all means let us learn to abandon punishment which vaunts itself as an instrument for education. But we cannot escape from the negative side of bringing up the young, and we must ask how far they can accept freedom from guidance and take responsibility.
With the frankness which characterizes the whole book, the author admits that some boys could not stand the lack of fixed discipline and penalties. Was this because there are certain cases where the trouble is of ‘Such a nature that more security from an ordered routine ‘s required ? A few such failures are found in every tree hostel or school, however long-suffering and patient ls the application of the theory. Such evidence does not condemn the method, but suggests it may not be suitable for every type of difficult boy.
A wealth of material from the vivid life of the place as well as references to other work and books, show us something of the keen and active mind of the author, “is integrity stands firm through the tests given him at every turn by the boys?and their parents. A happy relationship with his staff speaks for itself. Satisfactory Working of such an experiment under the direction of Local Authorities gives fresh hope in a period when their powers are increasing and some have fears of stereotyped education.
In hoping other similar hostel-schools will develop, Wills suggests that the Warden should have a mental health training. The chapter on ” Psychological FirstAid ” describes the application of his understanding of ^/”notional needs in his handling of individual difficulties throughout the book, and a grasp is shown of the lundamentals of child development.
Though most of his boys come from unhappy homes and many he thinks should never return to them, the Author advocates the use of a Psychiatric Social Worker to serve as a link with the families, and to carry out after-care. It is more and more realized that supervision aJter leaving any residential Home or Hostel is necessary; People are not so generally aware that this is not sufficient, “Ut work with the family, and other links in the community throughout his whole stay are absolutely necessary lQr the child brought up away from his family. Adjustments are just as much needed at home as in the boy. ? these are not possible and he must start life on his own, this must be made clear at an early stage, so that a clean cut may be made and he can learn to face a future on his ?Wn. Where the natural links with relatives and ^eighbours are missing, care must be taken to give him a tart with contacts and friends.,
Such trains of thought are set in motion by the timulating effect of reading The Barns Experiment. It describes a great piece of work and is written in a frank and lively style, but it is a pity that not one of his many interested friends restrained the author from his excessive use of exclamation marks. They give a false air of unconsidered comment to many a page of sober expres. sion, of experience and opinion. R S A
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