The Police Department of Houston, Texas, published a pamphlet on the rules for raising a rascal. It reads as follows:
From infancy on, give the child everything he wants.
This will make him believe that the world owes him a living.
When he picks up bad words, laugh with him.
This will make him think he’s cute.
Never give him any spiritual training.
Let him decide for himself when he is twenty-one.
Avoid using the word “wrong”. It might develop a guilt complex.
When arrested later on, he will think he is being persecuted.
Pick up everything he leaves lying around.
This will teach him to throw all responsibility onto others.
Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on.
Sterilize his cups and saucers but let his mind feast on garbage.
Give a child all spending money he wants.
Why should he have things as though you had them?
Take his part against neighbours, teachers and policemen.
They are all prejudiced against your child.
When he gets into real trouble, apologize to yourself by saying,
“I could never do anything with him.”
Prepare for a life of grief,
You will be likely to have it.