The Dickinson press., 1897-02-20
GIRL LIFElN MEXICO.
shc Has Considerable Freedom, hut II
Is of the Right Kind.

Is Of the Right Kind.
From the Boston Herald: Mexican
home life is unique; it differs very es-
sential1y 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
maintaining high grade of family
behavior. There is a sweetness and a
charm about well-ordered Mexican
home which is revelation to northern
people who have imbibed false idea
of matters here. The women of the
best Mexican families are naturally OF
gentle disposition, but they command
obedience, and rarely spoil their sons.
whom they idolize. There are excep-
tiens, 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 q
moment the thought Of permitting a
girl OF any age to be on the streets
after dark unless accompanied by an
Older person, trusted servant or elder
brother. So, even among girls of the
humber class, there is no street stroll
ing in the evening. They may, in
warm weather, 60 to the alameda, or
public park, where there is band
concert, but always under escort. They
may 60 to tertulia, or evening party,
but with some competent person. They
may dance. mildly flirt, on such occa-
sions. but they are always under the
watchful eye Of q relative. There is
plenty of proper freedom for young
girls. and larger liberty in the cities
than formerly, but they are not al
lowed to run about without an escort
and a very careful eye is kept upon
them by parents and relatives, even to
distant male cousins. Such a thing as
young girl. or young woman, of any
character or family, being upon the
street at night, alone and unattended.
Is unknown. Your daughter goes to
visit q friend in the afternoon and
stays to tea; then the gentleman and
lady of the house, the gentleman alone.
or an old servant, brings her home.
So the streets Of this big town are never
the scene Of foolish, flighty girls being
followed and picked 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 descrip-
tions of the "satyr" who has insulted
a lady, and the public is asked to take
warning. One fellow. who, in an in
terror city, made an insulting remark
about lady standing at window,
was conducted to the alameda, and.
in view of the chiee part of the towns
best society, was held down on 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 male teacher, who was
too fresh" in his conduct toward
young girl pupils. was waited on by a
deputation of gentlemen and asked to
favor the city by his permanent alb
sence. 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 pub
lie places with respectable women.
There is something left here of the old
Spanish idea of the sacredness Of wom-
anhood, and the line is sharply drawn
between honest women and the other
| kind.