The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-22
DIR. VAN DYKES ADVICE.


A writer in Golfers Weekly, discussing
the future of college girls. says that every
girl, college-trained or home-trained,
should be prepared for a contingency de-
manding self-support." DR.. Henry Van
Dyke. writing in Harper's Bazaar on The
Strenuous Life for Girls opposes the
tendency of young women to enter business
life. but admits that contingencies arise
when such a course is necessary, and says
it is well for a girl to be so educated that
she can earn her own living if circum-
stances require her to do so. These two
writer's take the position that many a
father does when speaking of his daugh-
tiers. He does not wish them to be under
the necessity of earning money. but he
knows the possibilities that may occur in
life, and that some time when he can no
longer provide for them they may be
forced to s~elf-support. Therefore, he plans
in a way that he will care for them
while he is able and that meantime they
can fit themselves to do some sort of work
that VIII be profitable when occasion calls
for the exercise of their skill. The plan is
an impossible one, as all such parents and
daughters find if they consider it i'm a
practical way. What business or profess
sion is there that man or woman can learn
and then put their knowledge aside, to be
taken out good as new after an indefinite
time when the need for it arrives? When a
mar studies medicine or law, and. as fire.
quently happens, does not enter practice,
bat drifts into another calling, he does not
consider himself fitted to practice either of
these professions after an interval Of ten
or fifteen or twenty years, though his
school diploma may be in as good condition
as ever. But if it is not contemplated that
a girl shall go to the length of studying one
Of these professions, what branch of bust
ness is there OF which she can acquire a
theoretical knowledge that will be of future
use? She may learn stenography and type
writing. but if she does not practice these
arts constantly she will forget them; she
may study bookkeeping, but every business
man knows that the desirable bookkeeper
is one who has learned skill by practice,
and also that details differ with each estab-
lishment. She may go in for the higher ed
u~cation, and, with her degree won, may
hatteI herself that she will be ready to en-
ter the teachers profession if need be; but
after five or ten years of social or domestic
life she will find herself far behind and
doubtful of her ability to pass even pri-
mary examinations. Or, with her educa-
ton as encouragement and perhaps a nat
ural facility with the pen in addition, she
may feel that when the time for exertion
comes she can do newspaper work or write
books that will be read. Many women
cherish that delusion. In spite of recent
instances showing that blacksmiths may
write books that will sell, the general rule
remains that in no calling is success pre-
coded by such toll and close application as
that of authorship. and newspaper work is
a profession that must be learned by prac-
tice. AS for the ordinary feminine dabblirg
at music and art, it is a waste of time so
far as lucrative results or possibilities are
concerned.
What then? Is there no way in which
the girl. fresh from school or college, can
live in her fathers house, take her full
part in the social and domestic life and yet
be qualified to enter into business activities
when she desires? Nay, verify, the Journal
knows of no such way. This is an age
which is becoming more and more one o.
specialists. One who succeeds, if it is only
in a simple, everyday occupation, must do
his work a little better than others in the
same line of business. The winner must do
at least on thing especially well-must be
an expert. But he cannot become an ex-
pert in any line without practice and expe-
rience. and he cannot get experience with
out the observation that is possible only
when in contact or competition with other
workers. Life is strenuous in all lines of
endeavor. and theoretical knowledge goes
but a little way.
No; the girl cannot remain in the seclu-
sion of domestic life, enjoying all the pleas
ures and performing the duties incident to
home end society, and yet be prepared Incl
d~entaIly to earn her living. The DR.. Van
Dykes who make such suggestions-and
there are a host of them among those who
offer advice to women-talk nonsense.
Women, like men, who wish 10 know how
to earn money must go out into the world
and learn the way by actual experience.