birth--a link that can be substantially strengthened by breast feeding
as far as it is practicable. The attitude of the mother to the child,
even before birth, may well have a marked effect upon the child's sense
of security. If pregnancy was not welcomed by the mother, her child may
come into the world under a distinct handicap, that of being an unwanted
child. Subsequent adjustment may not be as satisfactory as she imagines
it to be.

There is often, however, a vast difference between the parents' love of
a child and the child's subsequent idea of being loved. The love that
every child needs is affection combined with wisdom--a wisdom that will
show itself in a watchful concern for the child's well-being throughout
childhood to late adolescence. It can be summed up as the kind of love
found in a warm family life where all the members--father, mother, and
children--are in a proper relationship the one to the other. This
relationship is mere difficult to obtain where the child was unwanted or
where one parent becomes unwilling to share with the child the love
which he or she formerly alone received from the other parent.

A child living in an abnormal family environment, whether that
abnormality arises from the birth of the child or the maladjusted
personality of a parent, is the type of child which may later seek
compensation in irregular sexual behaviour. But the child who, during
its early years, lives in an environment where it feels secure, loved,
and accepted is not likely to become a deviant.

Evidence has been presented to the Committee of many cases of
delinquency which may fairly be traced to one of the following causes:

_(a) Emotional Disturbances_ that have arisen out of a divorce,
separation, or remarriage. An emotional upset may arise from a
home that is broken by a divorce or separation or, equally
important, from a home in which tension follows discord between
the parents.

_(b) Poor Discipline_ arising out of a parental notion that love
for the child can be shown by gifts in money or kind, or by
allowing the child to do what it wants to do. Many of the parents
of delinquent children are in that category of people who have
been far too indulgent with their children and have been unable to
say 'No'. It is a big mistake to suppose that the respect and love
of a child will be lost by firm, kindly guidance. The Committee
has evidence that a large group of delinquents detained