The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-12
A GIRLS LIFE IN MEXICO.
She Has Considerable Freedom But
1t Is of the Right Kind.
Uror, H. Da~to,-
From the Boston Herald.


Mexican home life is unique; it differs
very essentially from the domestic life of
the Anglo-Saxon race, for it is founded on
respect for parents. The influence of the
Catholic church is powerful in maintain
ing a high grade of family behavior.
There is sweetness and a charm about
a well-ordered Mexican home which is a
revelation to northern people, who have
imbibed a false idea Of matters here. The
women of the best Mexican families are
naturally Of a gentle disposition, but they
command obedience and rarely spoil their
sons, whom they idolize. There are excep-
tons, but they are not enough to break
down the general social discipline AS for
the girls, no reputable Mexican father or
mother would allow for a moment the
thought of permitting a girl of any age to
be on the streets after dark unless &C
companied by an older person, a trusted
servant or elder brother. So even among
girls of the humber class, there is no
street strolling in the evening. They may
in warm weather, go to the alameda, or
public park, where there is a band con-
cert, but always under escort. They may
go to a tertulia, or evening party, but
with some competent person. They may
dance, mildly flirt, on such occasions, but
they are always under the watchful eye
of a relative. There is plenty of proper
freedom for young girls and a larger lib
erty in the cities than formerly, but they
are not allowed to run about without an
escort and a very careful eye is kept upon
them by parents and relatives even to dis
tant male cousins.
Such thing as a young girl or young
woman of any character or family being
upon the street at night alone and unat-
tended is unknown. Your daughter goes to
visit a friend in the afternoon and STAYS
to tea, then the gentleman and lady of the
house, the gentleman alone or an old serv-
ant brings her home. So the streets of
this big town are never the scene of fool
ish Eighty girls being followed and pick
ed up by strangers, And as for men who
insult young girls and women the remedy
is usually a sudden and fatal one. In
milder cases the newspapers give minute
descriptions of the "satyr," who has in
suited a lady and the public is asked 10
take warning. One fellow who, in an in
terror city, made an insulting remark
about a lady standing at a window, was
conducted to the alameda and, in view Of
the chief part of the towns best society,
was held down on a stone bench and
caned until he yelled for mercy and was
then ordered out of town on the next
train He went.
IN another city a male teacher, who
was TOO fresh" in his conduct toward
young girl pupils. was waited on by a dep
utation of gentlemen and asked to favor
the city by his permanent absence. He,
too, went. The etiquette regarding the
protection of women from molestation
and insult is such as prevails in the
southern states of the American Union.
There is no fooling on the streets. In the
theaters and public places with respect
able women. There is something left here
of the old Spanish idea Of the sacredness
of womanhood, ana the line is sharply
drawn between honest women and the
other kind.