New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
EDUCATION FOR WOMEN.
,rs rrrrcr on THE ''HoME-LIFE IDEAL"
= ,be Editor OF The Tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Ctr. An editorial in The Tribune of Saturday, De-
cember 8 criticises officer Of college TOT young
women who would emphasize independence rather
49,, ,ho .bome-life ideal" in the education OF young
women The editorial furthermore states 'hat the
true ideal is the home and the domestic virtues ''
~ these should prevail In institutions OF iearhihs
there would he lend OF the rowdylsh' "u~'hs
Young man. and "of the home-scorning young
woman"
az have been Young and am now old" and have
never met the ''home-scorning' educated young
woman: live in village OF nearly i've thouS"nu
inhabitants have had women relatives ana lriehus
graduates of colleges. thirteen women OF inns VIZ
lage have been graduated from one "o"'" cor
lcce OF Ncw-York State since 1877. and several
others from other colleges. and among them all
not one "home-scOrning young woman some are
married and among our very bcst hohe-hecP-
ers and home lovers. Some are self-susiaining ana
independent but never scorner or nome ana 'he
domestic virtues On the contrary. am Comment
they would really Ike the home life and would make
GOOD wives and good mothers. provided they should
meet and love men who would make good husbands
and fathers. but having had the broader education
q has made them thoughtful and a little careful
about rushing into matrimony.
While believing the good home IS the highest
IDEAL for that very reason l am still in great
sympathy with the college official quoted, and while
she may no, need me like to stand for what seems
TO me the everlasting common-sense OF her position
The training ana eQuchtlfS OF young "oH''i III
wives and mothers have produced more unhappiness
among young women than can be mere SCI u3 OWL
And why? Because young men nave never peen
trained for husbands and fathers Thcy are trained
fin ma thematics and athletics and for independence.
TIE result is more women than men care Tor mar
Rage and are disappointed. and even II men were
trained home life and every one married. sun,
taking the civilized world at large. there Is ire
mcndOuS of women-OVcr TWO mllHof ana
half more women. taking Europe and the United
States together. Then why go 10 training women IN
womens schools and colleges for home and domestic
life when so large percentage cannot If they would.
come into homes OF their own, unless we return 10
barbarism and polygemy? A..
situation training all young women alike for in
dependence? 1t will not surely harm the nome
because the independent young woman VINO chooses
marriage docs from the highest motive IN
world needs is love marriages. Look at the
unhappy marriages and our numerous separations
and divorces and all these were before the higher
education of women was dreamed of-when woman
knew nothing but tho longing for home OF FER
own and when very young and totally dependent
she entered into matrimony.
Then let and more. for the sake OF our
homes and rcsi :cs emphasize the sel-relynS prlh-
cple in training our girls that they may he happy
and self-supporting If not married. and may be
totally free 20 accept reject marriage and mater
nifty for in this freedom hes the hope OF our future
home-life.
Yet in the long years liker must they grow;
The man be more of woman, she of man:
H. gain in sweetness and In moral height, .
Nor lose the wrestling thcws that throw the world;
She mental breadth. fail in childward care.
Then comes tho staelier Eden back to men
Then reign the worlds great bridals chastc and
calm
Penn Yam. n Y. Dec G. 1876. J. D. S.