Atticus Finch shows his love for Jem and Scout, his children, by providing them with an education. Atticus teaches his children to accept others no matter how the look or act: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Harper Lee 39). This allows the children to choose their friends, due to the personality. In Alabama during the 1930’s, racism was still an issue even thought the civil war was over. Some people in Maycomb, the town where the Finch family lives, still dislike and abuse the blacks: “[Atticus Finch]’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (Lee 135). Atticus’s children know how to deal with this situation, because scout “pulled at [Jem’s] sleeve” to leave (Lee 136). This shows maturity by the children. Atticus teaches his children how to react due to the situation that has revolved around the Finch family.
Atticus lets his children have more freedom than any other child during the 1930s. Jem cuts off the top of the flowers that belong to Mrs. Dubose, the neighbor. Any parent during this time period would beat their child, but instead atticus chooses a different route. Atticus makes Jem read to Mrs. Dubose as his punishment. Even though Jem doesn’t know it at the time, he is helping her get over her Morphine addiction. If Atticus beat Jem for this, Mrs. Dubose might not get over her addiction.