Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-28
TIE TRAINING OF GIRLS.

LIB IHAlNlN0 vi OihLS.
The Chinese ambassador. WI Ting
Fang, made an address not long ago
to some girl graduates Of an educa-
tional establishment In Philadelphia,
and we presume he startled them some
what by departing from the usual
pleasant congratulations and sweet
sentiments uttered on such occasions,
by remarking, 1T is the duty Of keeping
house and preparing to become proper
and useful wives that imagine you
would be best fitted for"
In these times OF organization Of
women's societies OF different kinds.
social. political. educational and other
wise. this return to the doctrine OF
home and family duties as the special
sphere Of women. is quite timely
though perhaps not In exact har-
mony with the trend Of new womanly
thought Preparation to become use
full wives and home keeping mothers
does not seem TO be speciality. either
in the regular schools OF the country
or In the majority OF the clubs and as
soclatlons that women have been form
ing. But the heather Chinee' in
jected an idea into the Christian
thought-reseryoir. which we hope viii
keep It In motion.
Not that we object In the smallest de-
gree to the organizations among wo-
men, for the elevation Of the tone OF
thought and the advancement OF wo-
men, along any OF the paths which lead
to learning, usefulness and happiness
But there IL 80 much In modern Ameri-
can society which tends TO turn
the minds OF even married
women from the sphere al
hded to by the Chinese ambassador,
that something is needed OF a forclbie
character to form check upon modern
tendencies.
The divorce scandal Is occupying the
attention Of statesmen. clergymen and
writer's for current periodicals. and
various remedies are suggested for that
which Is regarded as a prevalent evil.
is II not probable that II girls were bet
ter trained In the duties OF the house.
hold, and taught more about the respon-
sibillues which attach to wifehood and
motherhood, there would be fewer d.
yorces, more happy homes and better
managed children in our beloved coun.
try?
The education OF the intellect in GER
tain selected lines is all that seems to
be aimed at In the regular institutions
OF learning, Domestic training Is not
a part OF this tuition, except in special
establishments for that purpose, and
they are few and far between. Presi-
dent Brigham Young came in for
large share OF the ridicule which IL the
chief part OF the stock-in-trade OF some
newspaper writer's. because he declared
that he would have girls taught how TO
use broom and make bread, and boys
how TO use the saw. the plane and other
tools, as part Of their regular education.
The terms that he used were simply to
show his idea that training In the prac-
teal duties and pursuits OF life was es-
senual TO the real education OF our
youth.
He was right. Manual training is a
necessity Of the times. both for girls
and for boys. We believe there is less
OF the practical in girls schooling than
In that for the other sex. The text
books in common use do not deal much
with home duties and the preparation
of young people for the responsibilities
Of family life.
The ordinary reading matter that
comes into the hands OF our young
ladies is OF character TO injure rather
than benefit them as prospective wives
and mothers The cares, anlieties, dis
appointments and obstacles that lie In
the path OF woman to be grappled with
and surmounted, so as 10 bring to her
that permanent Joy. contentment and
satisfaction that belong 20 happy ma
ternity are not set forth In the light
OF duty. the performance OF which
brings solid enjoyment But that pas
sion which Is Improperly called love.
and the attainment of wealth and lux
ury as the end and object OF matrl-
mony. are painted in the most glowing
colors and placed as the summum boz
nun Of glrlhoodis aspiration.
II the remark Of Wa Ting Fang is
founded In Confucian philosophy. It is
nevertheless wholesome and beneficial
Tor Christians to contemplate To be-
come useful wives and competent
housekeepers is a goal to be reached by
American girls far more important
than the mastery OF Greek and algebra,
OF ancient literature and comic sec
tons, OF classical music and fine em-
oroidery Yet these are not incompati-
bic with the more useful and practical
accomplishments.
The great point to be considered Is.