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■ w ijumcliic iNovemperzi, iroo — — Child therapist says kids grow up fearful by Richard Bono TSI staff writer Psychiatrist Jack Weltner bemoans the fact that children today are being taught to fear the world they live in. The electronic and print media, he says, are conditioning adults, who are in turn conditioning children, to venture into the world with more than just a sensible amount of trepidation. “Every culture creates a myth ology for its children. It tells kids how life ought to be,” Dr. Weltner said. “We’re probably the first culture that is presenting a myth ology that centers around anti- heros and fear of your fellow man. What the hell are we creat ing this kind of mythology for?” Dr. Weltner was this year’s vis iting scholar for the annual lec ture and training program spon sored by the Sidney Isenberg In-Service Endowment Fund of Jewish Family Services Inc. Child molestation is a particu larly loathsome occurrence that is receiving an undue amount of press, Weltner indicated, not because it is any less heinous than it is perceived to be, but because it's probably less preval ent than the media portrays. “I’m not sure that more kids are being molested today than they were 100 years ago,” he said, “but I’m sure that it’s on kids’ consciousness more. Kids are afraid of their neighbors. The message they’re getting is ‘this isn’t a safe world.'” Weltner said Jewish parents “Computers and video games have the quality of almost an addictive substance. They are highly stimulating. You get high on it. But there is nothing left at the end and you need another hit. A lot of our culture has that quality.” —Dr. Jack Weltner aren’t any more at fault than non-Jewish parents. But, given the Jewish experience with the Holocaust, “it’s even harder for Jewish parents to say to their kids ‘bad things aren’t going to happen to you.’” Children of the ’80s are also conditioned, Weltner says, bv the advent of computers and video toy store •^here young minds can grow. Meet "Rex,” the resident dinosaur here at The Enchanted Village. Rex is bright because he offers your child a superb selection of books and learning aids. He’s creative because he conducts fascinating work shops where your child can explore many different worlds. He's lovable because he loves children and throws the most unique birthday parties in town. And Rex is fun because he stocks over 7,000 wondrous things like toys, games and wooden trains. At The Enchanted Village, you'll find no fads, no fashion. Just fascination that's always worthwhile The ENCHANTED VILLAGE The toy store where young minds can grow. Cumberland Mall, Atlanta, (404) 434-6695 machines into our everyday life. “It is a culture of highly stimulat ing events, which fascinate child ren, but when approached in the popular way, don’t provide any kind of meaning,” he said. “Computers and video games have the quality of almost an addictive substance,” according to Weltner. “They are highly stim ulating. You get high on it. But there is nothing left at the end and you need another hit. A lot of our culture has that quality.” Weltner, who is a family and child therapist in his native New England, contends that children will not necessarily outgrow the negative effects of the computer video age. “The effect will be negative on them in their adult life,” he said, “in terms of forming adult, com mitted relationships, which tend not to offer high levels of stimu lation." He added that the pre valence of computers and video games also fail to prepare chil dren to relate to the world in a meaningful way. Child-rearing in the 1980s is complicated by the fact that in many families, both parents work. Child care, he said, is a poor sub stitute for a one-on-one, day-to- day relationship with your child, but if it cannot be avoided, it’s not that bad. People have no natural parent ing ability, stated Weltner. For that reason, he advocates that David C. Garrett Jr., chair man of the board and chief exec utive officer of Delta Air Lines, has been chosen as the 1986 recipient of the Horace M. Kallen Award of the American Jewish Congress. The award, for distin guished community service, will be presented by former U.S. Rep. Elliott Levitas at a dinner at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This year marks Garrett’s 40th anniversary with Delta Air Lines. Shortly after he completed mil itary service in the U.S. Air Force, Garrett joined Delta, where he has held the positions of assist ant vice president, operations; vice president, operations; senior vice president; and member of the board of directors since 1968. In 1983, he assumed the position of chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines and was named chair man of the board. Garrett’s professional affilia tions include the directorship of the Air Transport Association, couples prepare for child-rearing, if possible, reading, studying and taking courses. the Travelers Corp., National Service Industries Inc., U.S. Steel Corp. and Texas Instruments. In 1983, he was named Georgian of David C. Garrett Jr. the Year by the Georgia Associa tion of Broadcasters and was the recipient of the Tony Jannus Award presented to those who have made a significant contri bution to aviation. Horace M. Kallen, a philo sopher and teacher, was a former officer of the American Jewish Congress and one of its founders. He is best noted for developing the concept of “cultural plural ism” and fighting for social jus tice and human rights. The award dinner will be chaired by Robert J. Lipshutz, senior partner in the law firm of Lip shutz, Frankel, Greenblatt & King and special counsel to former president Jimmy Carter. Co- chairman is Robert Strickland, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Trust Com pany of Georgia and Sun Trust Banks. For reservations or further in formation, contact Lee Furman at 688-2300. MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE AT HOME With a dedicated kelly homemaker, home health aide, live-in companion, or nurse who cares for someone you love. ASSISTED LIVING" PROGRAM A personal in-home service tailored to individual needs. Kellv carefully screens and selects the right person for your specific situation, whether it’s light housekeeping, personal care, or professional nursing services. 7 days a week. 24 hours a day, insured and bonded. Call for a free assessment by our registered nursing supervisor. assisted LIVING SERVICES 231-3005 A subsidian of Kfllv Services, the Kelly Girl' people Excellent Employment Opportunities EOE/MFH David Garrett chosen for AJCongress award CATERED SILVER SERVICE FOR A THOUSAND OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS. a i . . From dinner for fifty high above the Atlanta skyline in the elegant Crown Room to catered kosher n , a thousand in the smashing new Grand Ballroom, Colony Square Catering can handle it. W ith creative consulting, delicious food and impeccable service at your place or ours. TU„ v uj l11 V y aync Adams or Larry Russell at 892-6000. hc> make your party marvelously memorable, no matter how many friends you have. COLONY (gqjAKE HOTEL B5