Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-06-27
YOUNG WOMEN AT SCHOOL.
Higher Education ~ tho Fair Sex Does
Not Injurc the Health

In a recent report. Mr.. Wright, the head
Of the Massachusetts, bureau OF statistics
Of labor, has shown that according to the
figures, the higher education Of Young
women does not appear to impair the
health. at is sufficient to say" he de-
Clares, that the female graduates of our
colleges and universities do not seem to
show, rs the result of their college studies
and duties, any marked difference In gen
eral health from the average health likely
to be reported of an equal number Uf
women engaged in other Kinds OF work "
The facts which he states, indeed, 20 to
prove that study, il not carried to an ex-
cess, is actually healthfuI, and good
preparation for useful lives
Mr. Wright sent printed questions
as to "CoudtiunS Of Childhood.' in
dividual health" family health, .
college coudItIoms," and death Of
graduates, TO all the living graduates of
the twelve American colleges into which
young women are admitted A majority
Of the graduates answered these questions,
and it is upon these answers that he bases
his facts and conclusions
Some Of these facts are very interesting
and suggestive. II appears that of all the
graduates reporting, G2 per cent.
studied moderately, per cent. rather
more intently, and y per cent.
studied to excess. About half of these
young women did not enter society at all.
and almost all went but rarely into social
distractions. OF those students who were
i'll good health when they entered upon
their college course, and who studied
severely throughout it, more than "
per cent. retained good health after
graduation, in spite Of the severity with
which they stuck TO their text-b books and
lectures.
"Thuse who worried over studies alone"
says Mr.. Wright, show no perceptible
change in health. Those who worried
over personal affairs, decline in health
of 10 per cent: those who worried over
both studies and personal affairs, a decline
of Is per cent. But those who
worried over neither. show an increase OF
health during college life of 10 per cent
The differences to be made from many
facts stated in the report are, that young
women should not. for their healths sake,
enter upon lnborious college course at
too early an age: that while preparing for
college, they should take plenty of eXer-
else in the open air; and that they should
habits
some interesting statements, not directly
on the subject Of health, appear as the re
suit Of the inquiries made of the graduates.
1t is stated that large proportion of the
female graduates of colleges become
school teachers. Others engage in dOmeS-
tic, social or philanthropic labors. The
average age of graduation Is ~ years,
~, - "a Erri fur bot nh.
one-quarter of these women graduates are
married.
This is accounted for by the fact that a
college-bred young woman is apt to be,
from her long scholastic training more
particular, more thoughtful in considering
whether to enter the married state; and
that she feel more independent than other
young women, her training enabling her,
if she choose, 10 make her own living by
teaching or other professional work
Youths Companion.