SOCIAL GUIDE

for

JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS

1961

Prepared by students.
Approved by the staffs.
Sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Associations of Central and West
Junior High Schools,
Lawrence, Kansas.

As young people mature they desire, and should have, more freedom. While they usually welcome direction, they resent arbitrary orders. Because of group pressure they are sometimes placed in situations which they are unable to handle with poise and good judgment. They want and need the understanding support of their parents.

Parents are eager to have young people enrich their lives through wholesome social activities. However, parents, too, need fortification to combat group pressure, usually exerted in the form of a plea that "everybody does it."

To support the best interests of both parents and young people, this social guide has been prepared. It is not intended to be a substitute for family-made rules. It is a foundation for teenagers and their parents to use in working out acceptable community conduct.

Basic Rule

Parents should know where their sons and daughters are, what they are doing, and with whom they are spending their time. Parents should know what time their young people return home.

Parent-Youth Planning

1. Family plans should be organized so that necessary transportation for all members of the family can be provided and individual members can be reached in case of emergency or change of plans.
2. An allowance should be planned together, based on a discussion of financial ability, needs, and the management of money.
3. The home should be the center of young people's social activity. To accomplish this the cooperation of parents is needed. Young people should be encouraged to bring their friends home and to accept invitations to visit their friends' homes.
4. Young people and their parents should agree in advance on a definite time for returning from social activities.
5. A boy should be given an opportunity to meet the parents of the girl he is dating, and to discuss expected time for returning home.
6. Fifteen minutes is long enough for a telephone conversation.

Suggested Closing Hours for Parties

7th Grade
8th Grade
9th Grade
School parties
10:00
10:30
Home Parties

Social activities should be confined to Friday and Satruday nights. Young people should arrive home within ½ hour after the close of a party, unless other arrangements have been previously made.

Parties before and after school activities are neither necessary nor wise.

Entertaining at Home

1. Invitations should be clear as to the type of function (for appropriate dress) and the times of beginning and ending of a party.
2. A parent or responsible adult should be at home and on call at all times when young people entertain, but an agreeable measure of privacy should be afforded.
3. Plans for entertainment should be made ahead of time; young people and parents will feel more comfortable; boredom and confusion often lead to undesirable results.
4. "Lights out" has no place in a well-ordered party.
5. "Party crashers" should not be admitted. Chaperones should notify parents of both party crashers and unruly guests.
6. Establish definite party hours appropriate to the age group. Guests should leave at the designated times.
7. Guests' parents should pick up teenagers at the end of a party without any delay, even that caused by phoning home for a ride.
8. Proper respect for the property of others should always be shown.
9. Guests should no eat food unless it is offered by their hostess.

Transportation Arranged by Parents

1. Car pools, with an adult in each car, should be arranged for taking students to and from evening activities. No student is to ride in a car operated by another junior high-aged student. Students may ride in cars operated by high school-age students during the day, at the discretion of parents. This applies within, as well as without, the family.
2. Riders have a share in the responsibility for safe driving. Dares and jeers from riders have been responsible for more than one death.
3. Teenagers should be aware that it is wise to refuse to ride with reckless drivers. They should also be aware that overcrowding a car is dangerous.
4. Parents' consent for the driving privilege should be based on young people's proof of ability to control themselves and the car. A healthy attitude regarding the rights and welfare of others is essential.

Driving Permit Regulations

The Kansas law states: "A restricted license issued to a person under the age of 16 years shall provide that such person may drive a vehicle only: (1) during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult who is the holder of a valid operator's or chauffeur's license and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver; (2) over the most accessible route between the licensee's residence and the school in which he is enrolled; (3) for the purpose of performing errands for his parents in connection with farming or other agricultural pursuits."

Personal Appearance

1. Appropriate dress is a mark of good taste. The occasion should determine the type of clothing worn.
2. At school there should be no extremes in dress, such as low jeans, unbuttoned shirts, short shorts, or unconventional haricuts.
3. Appropriate clothing for girls: At school, skirts, with blouses or sweaters, or acceptable dresses. All should be comfortable and clean.
4. Appropriate clothing for boys: At school, clean slacks or jeans with T-shirts, conventional shirts, or sweaters.
5. For school parties girls may wear skirts with blouses or sweaters, or informal dresses. Boys may wear slacks with conventional shirts or sport shirts to school parties. Sweaters, sport coats, or suits are also acceptable.
6. For house parties the hostess should indicate ahead of time the activity and what type of dress will be acceptable.
7. Lipstick may be worn by ninth grade girls and by eighth grade girls during the last week of school.

Smoking

The Kansas law states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or give away cigarettes to a minor under 21."

Community Behavior

1. The teenager should be willing to accept the responsibility of the effect of his behavior and appearance on others.
2. Parents should realize their young people feel they have their parents' "Stamp of Approval" on their appearance when they leave their homes.
3. Parents should be certain that movies to be seen are selected wisely. A student should not go out alone at night. Parents should suggest students go in pairs and groups to be picked up by parents.
4. Students must remember they go to movies to be entertained, not to entertain others with loud talking and obnoxious behavior.
5. Teenage couples should use good judgment in their behavior and follow the examples set by only those older people whose actions the teenagers respect.

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