Advice column: Better to take dad's beatings than move out.

You read it.

You're right. This is what the world needs more of.

Although I can't criticize your intent, it's pretty likely the letter-writer was not a child in single digits of age but rather a young woman not quite old enough to strike out on her own but old enough to catch the interest of a young fellow with little prospects.

Ms. Dix made the point that she wasn't facing a choice between only those two - maybe going out on her own was best. But if she couldn't do that, then as bad as drunk dad was, that still is likely better than moving in with starry-eyed young boy who might turn out no better and would probably get her pregnant. And then (in 1948 that is) she would be stuck in a worse situation than before.

Heartless as that sounds she might well have been right.