New-York tribune., 1902-03-04
COEDUCATION.
A woMAN's PLEA FOR ITS FREEDOM FROM
RESTRICTIONS.
o the Editor Of The tribune


RESTRICTIONS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: have been reading with interest the items
that have appeared in The Tribune from time to
time coeducation. I have been asking what
causes lie back of this agitation coeducational
colleges. 1t to that the causes are these:
The great number Of women who are seeking
college education; the great number OF women who
are entering the industrial world, and the igno-
rance and selfshness Of the human heart
Some years ago, when the Latin School for Girls
was opened in Boston. there was such rush OF
eager girls for the privileges offered that the
board OF trustees. for the time appalled, actually
closed the school. Later these men OF Massa-
chusetts recovered their heads. adapted themselves
10 the situation and opened the school again
Greater numbers of women are entering college
now than before: the number of men varies
less. Woman, having tasted the joys OF
scholarship is eager for the privilege Of col
lege education. She goes to college for much the
same reasons man does-that she may develop
more symmetrically gain in power to think. in
power to act and do. She goes partly from COM
mercial point OF view. but more largely that she
may be enriched. enlarged. ennobed.
Eager for education she cannot always choose
where she Will go. but has TO go where she can
Conditions control her decision If she seeks what
is called mans college" she goes for one OF
two reasons or for both That she may secure
fine and thorough a training possible. or be-
cause circumstances compel her to go 10 a certain
college all. We who push
from the Hfeboats when life is IN jeopardy.
but there other heartless acts that seem eX-
cusable because perhaps they largely thought
less. These may pertain only TO human happiness
and usefulness. actual life and death.
Woman does not seek a mans college primarily
for mans society, though she is far from scoTning
that; certainly not rob him of his privileges but
that she may share his advantages and privileges.
which in way diminished lessened by her
presence. Mems colleges older. are more finely
equipped. have greater prestige. Can woman be
Justly blamed because she desires the very best?
Then there not enough women's colleges TO
accommodate the women who wish to enter col
lege: what is be done with the overflow? Then,
too. the multiplication Of colleges increases enor-
mously the expense OF education. necess!tates
needless expenditure Of money. Why this waste?
With the older class OF thinking men and women
the entrance OF women so largely into the indus
trial world has reacted. reacting, against the
higher education Of women. Such fear that women
q whole using their freedom unwisely. are
becoming unwomanly: they fear lest the home
shall become spot less dear. become thing OF the
past. Wages, they assert, are lowered by the com
petition Of in the industrial world. Doubt
less wages lowered in this way-imported labor
swakens much the same feeling Of resentment and
the nation called upon 10 imported labor
but the nation scarcely refuse TO one-half OF
its population the right TO live II pleases and
along legitimate lines. Selfshness and inequality
in the industrial world that is. in large measure.
SOcltude Tor women also enters into the Teel-
Ing with many good men. But IN many instances
it must be remembered that woman has not chosen
10 go into the industrial world, but sometimes
mans inhumanity and mans ineffCiency have
thrust this upon her. As TO the breaking up Of
the home II needless alarm After
all that has been said the hearts OF the women
OF the world beat true: the loss Of children still
tugs at their hearts. and home sooner or later
seems an earthly paradise. Neither Industrial nor
intellectual ambitions going wholly TO sat
isfy the heart OF woman. Nature may safely be
left II seems to me- to protect herself and to pro-
tect the home. It must be remembered, moreover
that Education" does "dsillusiOnize woman
enlarges her desires-and she demands
well gives 1t takes two now, not one, to
make the home. has been asserted.
Not long since friend remarked: After all, this
problem Of coeducaton is only a surface one; the
trouble goes deeper II IS due to the idea trans
mitted through the ages that has special
rights and privileges man. The initiative. the
reform must come from him. for he is at fault.
He must that he has no more right 10 the
In those colleges where men object TO the pres
Of women after their various objections have
been met and answered they invariably fan back
the remark: We'll. this college founded for
men Very true; has had the first chance
the fruit OF the of life and II IS only he
gets his eyes open and his heart enlarged and hts
sympathies quickened that he has been willing
to invite woman TO partake also. It is noticeable
fact that these same college men who object TO
the presence OF women older and get up
where they have a higher outlook upon life, they
change their opinion and acknowledge that their
former objections were nearsighted and youth
full. But meanwhile price
ignorance and narrowness; some one suffers;
progress is retarded; sympathies diverted,
Then, too, such opinions react upon the holder;
injustice shrives the heart and hardens the soul"
have yet 10 see the woman who would
mans opportunities lessened his rights re-
stricted; much be said Of the opposite SEX
Middletown. Conn, Feb. p, 1902 A READER.