The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-04-28
MEMS SHARE IN HoUsEwoRK.


u r. Cooper.
MEMS SHARE IN H0UsEw0RK.
A great manv neople. should onlv
consider this question IN connection
with its opposite" mans share in
housework. The subject certainly
suggests that woman has a share in
farm work. The writer, in accepting
this as true, would urge that the
reader accept the other suggestion as
also true-that man has share in
the housework. In this connection
1 offer the thought that part of mans
housework is found in the supplying
of conveniences with which the work
is to be done. And a little planning
along the line of arrangement of
rooms, fuel and water supply, etc.,
will save many steps. Let the man
"play fair" by providing the woman
as many conveniences with which to
do the housework as he provides him.
self for the doing of farm work. Wo-
mans lot can certainly be greatly bet
tered along these lines.
The word "share" is used in the
foregoing only for the purpose of in
dicating the direction which certain
efforts should take. 1t should not be
understood in the sense of "stint'' or
'limit." The feeling that II have
my share" should not be encouraged.
The work of the house and farm
should not be a matter of "shares" in
the "limit" or stint" sense, but a
matter of accomplishing the most pos
sible Cor desirable) with a given
amount of strength, ali members of
the family together harmoniously for
that purpose and to that end, each in
the place best adapted to his or her
strength or training. The question
of working indoors or outdoors thus
loses much of its significance. "Oh,
well, some one says, "this is all nice
enough on paper, but how are you
going to get the family to really work
harmoniously in this way? Let all
understand the necessity for working
the ends for which you are striv-
ing-and know that they are to par
ticipate in the profits. Too often is
it felt (though unjustly) that the
man is only one being benefited.
Secure the interest of all by asking
advice of all and talking plans over
! When it is once felt that
What is being done is for the good of
all, there will be little further diff
Guilty.
Mrs. B. is not only willing, but
glad, to help in whatever outdoor
work she can do. Aside from the mo-
tive of helping, she likes the open air
and appreciates the opportunity to get
out of door, knowing that such exer-
else is conducive to health and the
pleasure of living. And when not do
ing more or less work she finds it help
full to take a walk or outdoor run
some time through the day or even
after night if no other time is availa-
BILE. Having a family of generous
size, her time is mostly required in
doors, but during the summer season
she does most of the work connected
with the raising of the poultry, and
during the winter season / relieve
her of the care of the biddies, and dur
ing the busiest of the summer season
she occasionally helps with the gar
den.
''Does the outdoor air or the change
from household routine compensate
for the work left undone in the house,
or for the added strain?" I asked
Mrs. B. this question and she answer
ed, eyes, when l feel tired and ner-
vous, a little outdoor work makes me
feel like new person, and I can
come back and go to work again with
new energy" Such work has inter-
fered but little with the proper care
of the family.
''Is there any way in which certain
outdoor work could be done by the
woman in exchange for the lifting
and other outdoor work :" As our
work is not done OH the "share"
plan, one could not exchange" work
in return" for other work. How
ever, having regard for the relative
strength of the different members of
the family, make a point of doing
much of the heavy work around the
house, such as carrying water and
operating the lever of the washing
machine.
"How far can the wife go in help
ing her husband in the dairy and out
doors, without injustice to her health
and her children and the mourning of
doctor bills?" This is an instance
where circumstances alter the case.
The question can only be answered
individually. There is vast differ
ence in strength, the amount of house
work to be none, etc. In general it
may be said that ones health and the
proper training of the children should
be regarded as of first Importance,
and no work undertaken that would
jeopardize either.-W. T. B., in
Orange Judi Fa,mer.
MRS. BLINKERS = What Going
away Why?
Servant-Yes, mum when | came
yesterday you gave me the keys to