particular profession oftentimes feel that they want their children to do
something easier, something requiring less drudgery, and so bitterly
oppose their following in their fathers' footsteps. On the other hand,
many fathers are domineering in their determination that their sons shall
follow the same vocation in which they made their success.

Parents are often prejudiced in favor of vocations followed by dear
friends or by men whom they greatly admire. A successful lawyer, preacher,
engineer, or business man will influence the choice of vocations for the
children of many of his admiring friends and acquaintances.

Multitudes of parents have foolish prejudices against any kind of work
which soils the hands or clothing--even against the dinner-pail. On the
other hand, hard-fisted parents may have prejudices against any vocation
which keeps the hands soft and white, and the clothing clean and fine.

Thus, in many ways do the prejudices of parents, based upon ignorance,
work tragedy in the lives of children. Either through a sense of duty and
loyalty or because they have not sufficient solid masonry in their
backbones, children follow the wishes of their parents and many all but
ruin their lives as a result.

"THE LEARNED PROFESSIONS"

One of the most disastrous prejudices upon the part of parents is that in
favor of what are called "the learned professions." To make a lawyer, a
physician, or a minister of one's son is held to be the highest ambition
on the part of large numbers of otherwise intelligent fathers and mothers.
The result of this kind of prejudice on the part of so many parents is
that the so-called learned professions are over-crowded--and overcrowded