Gentle Measures in the Management and Training of the Young

Originally published in 1871, this work is a parenting manual by American author Jacob Abbott. He produced many works, most notably his 'Rollo' series, which aimed to instruct young people in moral virtues as well as to keep them entertained. This publication, however, is a non-fiction work that outlines his methods of successful parenting. We are republishing this work with a brand new introductory biography of the author. Here is a short extract from the opening chapter: 'It is not impossible that in the minds of some persons the idea of employing gentle measures in the management and training of children may seem to imply the abandonment of the principle of authority, as the basis of the parental government, and the substitution of some weak and inefficient system of artifice and manoeuvring in its place. To suppose that the object of this work is to aid in effecting such a substitution as that, is entirely to mistake its nature and design. The only government of the parent over the child that is worthy of the name is one of authority-complete, absolute, unquestioned authority. The object of this work is, accordingly, not to show how the gentle methods which will be brought to view can be employed as a substitute for such authority, but how they can be made to aid in establishing and maintaining it.'