This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
The basis for misconduct in the cases coming into a child guidance clinic is to be found largely in the emotional life of the child. The growing child has definite emotional needs; one of the most important of these is a sense of security, of which the first condition is love from the parents. Balancing the need for security, but not antagonistic to it, is opportunity for growth and freedom, to be acquired in easy stages, for although without such opportunity the child may eventually break away from parental ties, yet he will always carry over immaturities into adult life. In the development of personality, example is better than precept, but even example may fail if too deliberately emphasized. If parental ideals are low, the child may either follow or reject them, but conflict is often involved in the rejection of a parent model. On the other hand, when the