Crime Among French Children

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1914

Crime Among French Children

A DISPATCH from Paris under date of Jan. 17, 1914, as published in the Washington Post of January 18, declares that the increase of crime among French children is beginning to startle the whole nation. It is declared that “hardly a day passes when we do not read about boys of thirteen or fourteen stabbing each other to death over a girl beauty of twelve.” The correspondent believes that some of the causes of this alarming condition may be recognized. He holds that the moving picture shows are in a good measure responsible, believing that the “glorification of crime and criminals cannot help but distort the minds of children.”

Many influences contribute to the moral degeneracy which is everywhere apparent. The influence of much of the literature read at the present time is most pernicious. This, with the low theaters, the moving picture shows, evil associations, the cigarette habit, and a hundred other evils, is doing much to undermine and destroy the moral character and integrity of the present generation.