Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-02
The Ideal Young Woman.

to present a picture Oh It's 1QeaI young
woman. We may have our ideal. or
several Of her. in mind. but to describe
her would be dangerous experiment
beyond the limit of our courage. We
simply present to our readers, particu-
larly those of the fair sex, and more
particularly still those youthful AMI
unmarried, the results of the investiga-
tiOns of an eminent Brooklyn divine.
Rev. M. Z. Harlan. This clergyman
recently sent out questions to young
men all over the country asking for
their conception of the ideal young
woman. OF the answers which he re-
ceived he picked out 100 at random and
upon these based u most interesting
sermon which has been published in
the metropolitan papers.
1t should be understood that by the
ideal" young woman no reference was
made to her physical points or perfec-
ton. He did not seek to find if young
men prefer blondes to brunettes; the
tall stately type to the petite type; the
wi,lowy to the plump; the independent,
athletic girl to the clinging, helpless
kind Mr.. Harlan had in view only the
character and accomplishments of the
ideal young woman. OF the 100 young
men whose replies are tabulated. all
place high their standard of the ideal
young woman. All say that she must
be a Christian; all agree that her
knowledge of housekeeping is of the
practical kind; all are emphatic that
she does not use wine or utter a pro-
fame word. OF the 100 there are So
who say that she does not dance or
play cards, and 81 who say that she
does not use slang or lead a poodle.
We are inclined to think these So
young men are somewhat harsh and
expect little too much of their ideal
girl when they put her above card
playing and dancing. But what is to
be said of those 13 young men who al
low their ideal girl to talk slang and
lead a poodle? Most of us can stand
little slang-a very little-frOm a
bright girl. but to see her leading
poodle! The picture is not pleasant
one; let us pass on to the co-educa-
men. 20 prefer to have their ideal girl
educated in o-educatiOnal institu-
ton, and 80 in a school for young wo-
men only. This is a strong showing
for co-education. but probably the 70
had in mind that they would be in COL
lege with her, while the 30 were think
ing that the other fellow would be
there.
Perhaps among 100 other young men
who should answer the same questions
that Rev. Mr.. Harlan put to this 100,
the proportion of those who allow their
ideal girl to dance, to talk slang and
to attend a mixed school would vary
somewhat, but it would be a rare in
stance when a young man did not
agree with this 100 that his ideal girl
has a Christian character. has a practi-
cal knowledge of housekeeping and does
not use wine or utter profane or vulgar
words. There is much food for thought
in this for the young woman Of today.
No young woman but would like to be
somebody's ideal. OF 100 young men,
probably no two would agree upon an
ideal physical girl, her height, COM
plexion, hair, eyes, weight, style and
figure. but as to character an agree
ment is easily reached. Is the stand
ard too high for the American girl to
attain? There is much evidence that
it is not. We hope that Rev. Mr.. Har-
Ian will supplement these figures with
opinions from the girls of the land as
to their ideal young man.