New-York tribune., 1900-04-30
WHICH THEY WOULD BE
TWO BOYS WOULD BE WOMEN. BUT
MANY GIRLS WOULD BE MEN.

both
teresting- In December. 1899 Mr.. Barnes caused
the following questions be proposed as an ordi-
nary school exercise in composition three hun
dred and two boys and hundred and eighty
nine girls in public schools:
Frst-Which would you rather be when you
grow up, a woman. and why?
Second-What woman of whom YOU haze
ever read or heard would you wish to be- and
why?
Mr.. Barnes states that the ages of the children
ranged from eleven to thirteen and a study of the
answers shows that the girls exhibit more un-
seInshness well a higher ideal than the boys
The military spirit IS evident in both the boys
desiring usually to be generals and the girls
Thlrty-ive per cent of the girls wish to be men
and only two boys in the three hundred and two
wish to be women. The reasons are amusing at
times
1 wish to be woman because they have much
more sense than men," writes one. "A woman,
because they are Drawer than men; they can do
things quickly. Men are clumsy; besides men
drink writes another "A woman because women
lust do things while talking" writes a
third These strong minded damsels only form
about S12 per of the whole
small prOportion-about 3 per cent-of proper
minded little persons administer a solemn rebuke
to the examiner Tor propounding the problem. Il
would rather be a woman writes one, because
God has made all according TO His Will" This
writer is inconsistent in spite of her virtuous show
OF contentment, for she goes on 10 wish 70 be Mr.
Gladstone, because he the greatest that
ever was" Another says. II would choose to be a
woman because Nature made me one, and must
be content"
The "a per cent who wish to be men urge various
reasons-the strength. the freedom of men and the
adventures open to them. They keeny alive
to the economic disadvantages Of womens labor
tne limited number of occupations open to them,
and they fully convinced that mans lot Is
easier than a womans. Il would rather be a.
man." writes ardent maiden Of twelve, be
cause l could be soldier and help my country. A
man has many chances of being great, and women
maven L A man can work ana keep MS Wlfe, Dut
woman cannot work for man Her wages would
not be enough" This writer TO be Shake
speare. 4 man writes another, because he Is
brave. and can fight and explore and gain land for
I would rather be a man, because man is
more useful and respectable than woman, espe-
cally when woman takes TO drink; then she
makes home miserable
Many OF them would like to be Wellington, Mel
son or Sir Redvers Butler. One says: Il would be
a man, because he has no worry preytng on his
care to be is the queen. because She is always
waited on. and never has dishes to wash. She
one girl wants to be Prime Minister. and out
lines the reforms she would effect. Another says:
"A woman cannot be soldier. or a sailor or
policeman, or a tram conductor, or MAGISTRATE,
trades than serving in a shop or dressmaking, as
BROTHERS always get the best schooling and
things and then they cheat their sisters sisters og{ & OF
in you # you man, and they pay you accord
ngIy. There who do better work than
is shameful other replies.
CHILDREN WITH IDEALS.
OF different type those with ideals. One
writes: "A lady with lamp shall stand in the
history of the land-a noble type of good. heroic
womanhoOd. There is saying like this bout
men. l snoud like to have it said about myself
It would be greatest joy to go out to the island
and nurse them. I would go to the Transvaal If I
big enough"
I would rather be a woman. because woman
e mas Igeg o aee l0P eee WoTe do he best WORK
in the world. because they feel for others;
tie and kind. She is patient too Men just swears
when things, wrong. and they kicks the turni-
7 think womap's life is splendid ore if, if sh:
work regular and give her his wages saturdays.
s9f a%4ys & mas fne "9g T3 T GT n6 him to drink
7 want to be woman 50 TO {rn e t4 my fnaffa bfs f6s
children and swears at them. and makes them
Women have to suffer and be strong and this
is noble lot" says thoughtful child who @ READS
Ruskin In spite Of her championship or women
she wishes to be "Mr Ruskin because ne wrote
be women in order that they may exert rehnlng el
influence speaks well for the sense OF 6ae iasa ] IN
80 per cent wish 70 be women in order to ESCAPE th
+ssp9nSi6jfifisss res f% III ties Of mems hVeS' ana TO get
The situation is grasped by many Of these NINA
ture men and women in d renarkable degree. mat mat
women have no influence because of no vote, that
fenIa tcaIIv wronged and cheated in the labor
ket is noted by most of them with a cIearness tna
viii the practical working Of the present social
laws The boys mention them as reasons Tor not
wanting TO be women. The girls give them az
reasons for wishing TO be men.
ADVANTAGES OF BEING MAN.
A number Of the boys summarize the advantages
of being man in the frankest way.
''I want TO be a man. because man can have his
own way A man more money than
woman and 20 out and enjoy himself when he
likes His wife has get up and get his breakfast
ready and he does nothing" is the view or young
agotie+ Another saws: II want TO be a man be-
cause A man when he gets married can pave all ms
Ovrrl yYay at home. and enjoy hlUSelf as nuch
wants to be ..NIms. Patti. because she earns lot
Of money at her singing. and the cheapest seats 10
Another writes: 7 would ther be man. 10 WORK
gor NV living and get away from home, than 10 pc
a woman TO be hindered with her work, ara Set no
money has got children there IS nothing buI
hghtirg and crying. for they are bad-tenpered ana
she mas to put up with it all
~ think / want to be man, but 1t would be
nice To he a girl school; when you are d boy
the worst part is you always getting cane
The female sex is good without any trouble, but
il Is hard for the male sex TO be gc9d -,
women cannot get out of doors, they do only
little Jobs at home which messy and are never
finished" writes They have to do the COOK
ing and men do not" writes another. "A man 5
driver guards of trains soldiers and sailors, all
for nothing" "A nave his half a day
bicycle and build house or your own ana pe III
what trade YOU Ike, a professional footbaIer.
and go meetings and talk about politics. and
earn good without always working.
"A man can always keep his situation, he
has got trades unions A woman be turned
out of her place a minutes notice, and a man
take his place, and there are plenty Of women 10
take her place. In fact there are too many women
in the world" writes boy who has grasped some
crude notions of trades unonism and competition.
OTnaT por