ESSENTIAL--A STUDY OF GROUP VARIATIONS

Abstract

Psychology of recent years has fairly well defined the general tendencies of human life at different stages of development in childhood and youth. These characteristics have been proved to be well-nigh universal. Individual variations have been noted as exceptions to the rule, and these very variations have been observed and judged by means of the accepted form or standard that has been recognized for—say, a child of seven to ten years of age. Such a recognition of what is true at any one period, is a most serviceable guide for the right selection and use of subject-matter in both general and religious education. But this recognition must be tempered by another quite as important a guide, in the study and understanding of human life. Far less attention has been paid to the variations of one group from another. Consequently, there is little evident appreciation of these differences in plans made for religious education today. Acknowledging fundamental similarities, it is then needful to search for distinctive qualities and conditions in groups of different nationalities dwelling in their own or other countries; also, to observe, in the same way, groups belonging to one country that are affected by striking contrasts in heritage and environment. An interesting comparative study in these directions presents itself as possible. While such a study proceeds, questions must arise in regard to the usability of the same religious material with one group as with another. Universal likenesses will, of course, stand out forcefully, and these will often serve as a background for discovering differences. An unusual opportunity for observation of this kind was offered through an article in the Atlantic Monthly (July. 1917) entitled Young French Soldiers. Letters written by these young heroes while on the battlefield, reveal a religious experience and expression far beyond the experience and expression generally found among the youth of this country. It is possible that similar feelings might be realized by our own boys under similar conditions, and that these would—nay will—bring some expression. But rarely would one find the type of expression that is used with apparent ease by these French soldiers of eighteen to twenty-four years of age. It suggests an experience that we are apt to think time alone can give. Whether or not one is superior to the other, is not a question for debate here.