YahSaves.org

[Betty]

When I was in my early teens, I read the book "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. I enjoyed it but didn't think too much about it at the time.

Recently I checked out the book and read it again -- nearly 45 years later. Then I checked out the other two books in the series, "Little Men" and "Jo's Boys". I really enjoyed them, but, surprisingly, learned from them as well.

These stories took place in a time quite different from ours. The setting of the first book is about the end of the Civil War; the next 10 years later; and the third 10 years after that. Wonderful examples of lifestyles when people had so much less. They worked hard and then made their own entertainment and good times.

But what impressed me most was the teaching and influence of the adults in the stories. How much a child's life can be affected, changed and enhanced by "words fitly spoken". The adults spoke out and spent individual time with each young person, gently guiding them to learn, showing them how to get along with others, to share, to have a good work ethic, to honor their parents, to be a part of a larger family, to uphold the family name and values, to become a young adult any parent would be happy to claim, etc.

Of course, this was also at a time when modesty was something to be proud of. Young people were circumspect in their relationships as opposed to today's "anything goes" or "everyone is doing it". They were willing to wait for a year or more if parents so desired it.

I freely admit these books are not Scripture and do not carry that same weight. They do have faults (worldly holidays, etc), but make more sense than many of the professionals who advise people regarding their family life. These would be good examples for young people and their behavior today. I recommend these three books -- easily picked up in any library. And also for adults with growing families -- a good example of how to talk to children and teens. And much better than many of today's novels.