The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-09-03
YoUNe WOMEN AT School.
Higher Education of the Fair sex Does
Not Injure the Health.


Not Injure 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. 1T is sufficient to say" he de-
clares, that the female graduates Of our
colleges and universities do not seem to
show, as the result Of their college studies
and duties, any marked difference in gen
eraI health from the average health likely
TO be reported of an equal number or
women engaged in other kinds OF work
The facts which he states, indeed, go to
prove that study, if not carried to an ex-
cess, is actually healthful, and good
preparation for useful lives.
Mr. Wright sent printed questions
as to conditions of childhood" "in-
dividual health" family health,
college conditions" 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. 1t appears that of all the
graduates reporting, 81 per cent.
studied moderately, 9 per cent rather
more intently, and % 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
in 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
u ioh n tpXf-hOOKS
ctures.
Those who worried over studies alone"
says Mr.. Wright, "shOw no perceptible
change in health. Those who worried
over personal affairs, a decline in health
of 10 per cent; those who worried over
both studies and personal affairs, 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 health's sake,
| enter upon a laborious 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
| become accustomed to perfectly regular
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 2S13 years,
and it is a striking fact that only about
| 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, to make her own living, by
| teaching or other professional work
| Youths Companion.