The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-11
Protection for American Girls.

TO the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
1t is commonly supposed that American girls
of all classes are objects of the highest consid-
GRAFTON at home and in society; that in her own
home, especially, everything gives way to her
desires, and the affairs of the household shape
themselves for her particular advantage. These
ideas are for the most part, fallacious, and have
their rise in that conspicuousness resulting from
the independence which is the almost invariable
portion of American girls But freedom from
restriction is not care. English and French girls
are more truly cared for, as they are from their
birth objects of the greatest parental solicitude,
and are saved from the burden of responsibility
for their every act, and spared the necessity
of learning many bitter and unpleasant things
by actual experience. 1t is true that, in the
case of French girls, at least, this care degener-
ates into dstrustfnl vigilance, and permanent in
jury to character must necessarily result. But
in America the other extreme is reached. The
atmosphere of freedom which envelops our
country has aroused and strengthened the idea
that independent action and experience are the
two best means for the development of charac-
ter This seems to have weakened ia many
ways the American sense of paternal response
bility, and our young people arc subjected to few
or no restrictions which do not interfere with
what is variously considered parental preroga-
tive. Among our better classes as rule am
ple provision is made for children in
all things which money can buy, but while they
are usually expected to conine themselves to
their own social circle girls as we'll as boys are
often permitted the greatest latitude in the
choice of associates. Our profound hatred to-
and our want of, an acknowledged arlstocracy
with its supposed essentialities of great dignity
and superfine manners, has led to a certain I'M
conventionality, which, with slight provocation,
becomes Bohemianism. Many things which in
other countries would gain for girl the reputa-
ton OF being fast are here winked at even in the
best social circles. Mothers, indeed, often view
with bewiiderment the go-aheaditiveness of
their daughters, and il they do not give it a
secret admiration they have no thought of check
ing it. There is. therefore, dangerous and
growing looseness of sentiment, IN all classes of
American society in regard to the up-bringing
of girls. American parents seem to have ac-
CURED the idea that Providence. or, what is much
the same as far as results are concerned their
natural instincts will exercise a peculiar, mex
plicable protection over girls. And when girls
stray from the straight path, as they are doing
with most alarming frequency of late, the par
ents are pitied, the girls bitterly condemned. 1t
would seem to be one OF the strongest instincts
and most cherished prerogatives of mother to
supply by her knowledge. a safeguard for her
American girls are permitted to go where
they win, and to form such acquaintances
as they choose, without parental consent knowl-
edge or interference until 1t is perhaps, too late
1t IS human nature to estimate another mans
possessions at something like the value which he
himself places upon them We are apt to think
that a treasure which Is carefully guarded And
perhaps pearl would scarce scem 20 US pearl
were it made the plaything of child. Many a
girl has been lost because. though having natural
protectors. they have been as needless of her
value as though she was indeed of little worth.
In certain classes of society it is becoming
more and more common for daughters to throw