The Rural Voice, 1979-06, Page 9These students from Blyth Public School enjoy living on their
farms. Taking a break from lunch to talk about farming are (left)
Richard Roetcisoender, David McClinchey, Dean Whitfield,
Doug Craig (kneeling), Nancy Snell, Karen Caldwell and Christa
Walden.
Why farm children are different
BY GISELE IRELAND
Appearances are often deceptive, especially to -day with all
classes and sexes in blue jeans. They used to be for the barnyard
and now alas not too many can afford GWG or Levi's for
mucking about in. The rural children may have lost their dress
mode to the urban but they are still a very distinctive group.
What other boy at the age of six can a rhyme off in a chance
passing the make and model number of any equipment in the
neighbourhood? He is also just as quick to notice a new piece on
the line. Their future dreams are usually wrapped up in the
operation of one of the "Really big ones" as they grow older.
Their interest is all absorbing as even their play equipment
resembles Dad's. Little farm boys are usually very dirty,
especially around machine repairing time and spend a lot of time
with their fathers. You can't beat that at any price.
The girls learn at an early age that farm wives were liberated
years ago. They are capable of anything their brothers are and
are taught equally. They may tend to lean to 'more feminine
pursuits in their play but are just as efficient and nimble in the
barn as the boys.
Where else can you find children who have picked up sex
education, not behind the barn, but in the barn. They learn at an
early age what mating does for blood lines and little explanations
are necessary when the perfect little replicas appear to each
mother.
They are also very aware of death. The weak and sick that do
not respond to treatment die. It is hard for them, but they learn
that this is a way of life on the farm. Their closeness with the
earth brings a complete awareness in the changing of the
seasons and the first grass and flowers and the fading leaves
and dying pastures have a great significance to them.
As a farming mother I am thankful and proud to have part in
raising children with real purpose and a love for all living things.
They can't help but love something they help to feed and care
for.
Huron kids say a farm's the best place to grow up
Farming and kids seem to go hand in
hand. A vision of clean living and a better
place to raise children often leads many to
conclude that the farm is the best place to
bring up kids. And the kids think that too.
At the Blyth Public School approximately
half the students are from the rural area
and the other half living in the heart of
agricultural Huron County are not unaware
of the farming community around them.
Almost all the rural children help with
the chores and find them just that—a
chore.
From answers Rural Voice got from a
cross section of students in the school it is
easy to see they all love the country life.
The girls hope to live on a farm when they
get older and some of the boys have
already decided to stay with the farm.
Karen Caldwell is 14 and very involved
with the mixed farm operation at home.
Although her activities in the barn have
been limited by an allergy to some of the
dusts, this does not stop her from tending
the 4-H calf she shares with her brother.
Karen is active in school and has thought
THE RURAL VOICE/JUNE 1979 PG. 7