atters as possible ways of alleviating the trouble.

It is true that a child who joins sporting and other clubs, or has its
mind directed towards hobbies or other interests, is less likely to
become a delinquent than one whose thoughts are not similarly occupied.
But it is wrong to assume that the present trouble can be cured by the
extension or encouragement of such activities. The reason is that the
pre-delinquent is not attracted by such forms of recreation or healthy
pleasure. If he is persuaded to join a club or society, he may soon make
such a nuisance of himself that the leader will be obliged, for the good
of the club, to rebuke him or warn him that he will not be allowed to
attend in future unless he behaves. The pre-delinquent, therefore,
either does not join, or else soon leaves, a club where he cannot feel
happy. He is inclined toward a friendship with somebody else whose
nature is compatible with his own. From this companionship a group of
wayward children may be formed. They incite one another; they conspire
together; they attract the attention of others; the group may become a
gang. From the pairs, the group, or the gang, mischief or immorality
soon begins, while all around there are many clubs and societies
suitable and available for them.

Furthermore, single-sex clubs will not provide the answer for those who
desire the companionship of the other sex. In our society, boys and
girls must meet socially. It is part of the growing-up process and, if
supervised carefully and unobtrusively[4], the mixing of boys and girls
can be very advantageous.

From the evidence given by witnesses, the following four points emerge:

(_a_) The school today provides so many interests and activities
that the time of the pupil is fully occupied. Since it is
essential to retain the family group as much as possible, in
general, children should not be encouraged to go out excessively
on week nights. The competition of organizations for good school
children as leaders can become unsettling to the young.

(_b_) Adolescents who have left school provide a field in which
club organizations are able to provide interests and activities
for those who have left the directed conditions of school life and
are entering on the freedom of adulthood. Many of these activities
will be for both sexes and their success depends upon trained
leadership.

(_c_) There is much advantage in having the clubs and
organi