Sons of Italy; a social and religious study of the Italians in America . or Italians, and almost compelling parentsto send their children to them. And second, by holding oncea week instruction classes in the local church, to which theCatholic public school teachers direct or lead their Catholicpupils. On the theory that all Italians are Catholics, manyProtestant Italian children have been forced into these classesby cooperation between priests and public school teachers. Public Schools Chief among the molding forces of Italian life in Amer-ica is the public school. With all its limitations and
Sons of Italy; a social and religious study of the Italians in America . or Italians, and almost compelling parentsto send their children to them. And second, by holding oncea week instruction classes in the local church, to which theCatholic public school teachers direct or lead their Catholicpupils. On the theory that all Italians are Catholics, manyProtestant Italian children have been forced into these classesby cooperation between priests and public school teachers. Public Schools Chief among the molding forces of Italian life in Amer-ica is the public school. With all its limitations and short-comings it is still the bulwark in American life. It is theonly institution that can in a large way inculcate Americanideals and principles in the minds of the rising generation ofchildren of the foreign-born. It should therefore be the aim 1 Catholic Educational Conditions in the United States, byRev. Charles Mackey, S. J., 1913, page 7. 1 Growth and Development of the Catholic School System in theUnited States, by Rev. J. A. Burnt, , PLD., pp. 307-S. 3^5. •;,-. - iCRKUEuC LIBRARY ASSIMILATING THE ITALIAN 141 of every true American to bring under its influence andteaching every child of foreign parentage. Nor is the education in Americanism given in the publicschools sufficient, if it consists only in learning to read andwrite English, saluting the flag, and singing education means drawing out the best in each one,the development of character. The most valuable contribu-tion which the public school makes to the process of Ameri-canization is that indefinable thing called influence, whichdevoted men and women communicate through their per-sonality to their pupils. Mary Antin would never havebecome the characterful woman that fhe is, if it had notbeen for her favorite teacher, the woman who encouragedher, saw her possibilities, inspired her, and communicatedsomething of her own beautiful spirit to the immigrant girl. In recognition of this value of cha
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