HLS Letters
HLS on Indian child-rearing, in a letter to Cornelia 10-13-46". . . About the Indians, all I learned was that they raise their children differently than we do and that they don't do much fighting. There seems to be some possible correlation, though not much research has been done on it. Before anything of practical value results, someone will have to find out how the child training affects the adult personality and what we can use of the Indian training system. Right now, it seems that the Indians get great cooperation and obedience to tribal law by a system including absolutely no punishment, but much love for the child from 0 – 6 years. After six there is punishment, but not much, and no corporal punishment. And much use of rewards for training. But no one knows if there is any connection between the child training and the tendency toward cooperation and peace."
