The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-10

The question of coeducatiOn is not
burning one In Minneapolis institutions.
for there are no discoverable tendencies
in any of them to change from the almost
universal rule of coeducation. The peo-
pie Of the state are much interested how
ever. in the developments In this line and
in the discussion Of them. Last week the
college section Of the Minneapolis Educa-
tional association discussed the question
quite fully at its meeting, as one of the
significant educational movements. but
the whole burden Of the discussion was
strongly favorable to education wholly un
marked by any sex distinctions.
The subject was presented by Miss
Katherine I. Hutchinson of Albert Lea col
lege who gave some reasons for segrega-
tfon during the freshman and sophomore
years. Although the system appeared to
her to offer some advantages. she con-
fessed herself not a partizan for the sys-
tenn and quite open to conviction. Profess
sor Margaret J. Evans Of Carleton college
and Professor Maria l.. Sanford of the
University Of Minnesota had clearly de-
fined and strong convictions opposed to
segregation.
Professor Hutchinson gave as one of the
reasons for coeducation the desire to
demonstrate the intellectual equality of
woman with man. This was only pos
sible by actual comparison In Identical
courses Of study. She believed that wo-
mans capabilities as students were now
SO generally acknowledged that this point
may be considered as settled. Having ar
rived at this point questionings began a
number Of years ago in regard to the value
Of Identical courses Of study for men and
women. here Is q considerable element
among students of educational matters
that believes the same intellectual training
can be obtained by men and women with
out taking the same studies and that wo-
men would be better equipped for their
natural and proper development, If their
courses Of study were differentiated in
some particulars from those Of men.
The idea of a training Of equal value
but differing in details was the basis of
Miss Hutchinsons argument for separate
schools for the formative years, those In
which the trend OF the students tastes
and inclinations is to be determined.
Without the competition of men she be-
lieved that women would choose more
naturally the studies best suited to their
needs, but the home life OF the separate
schools she regarded as more important
than the studies In cultivating the WON
anly. This tends to direct attention to the
home and its possibilities rather than
away from it.
Men Would Cherish Illusions.
Miss Hutchinson confessed to belief
that the college man was sincere in his
claim that he found the women whom he
met daily in the classroom less charming
than those he had to go out of his way to
meet. She pointed out that the girls who
saw a man in the strong and unblinking
light Of work on an equal basis judged
him SO truly as not to fatter him and in
this way they made themselves less at
tractive to him; he would prefer the girl
who had some Illusions about himself and
his sex.
Both Miss Evans and Miss Sanford
thought the charm depending upon ilu-
sions could be comfortably dispensed with
to tho improvement Of the marriage rela-
tion. Love founded upon true insight into
life and character gained through college
companionship might have less sentiment
but 1T affords better basis for family
life and the union wears better.
Miss Evans answered the stock argu.
ments against coeducation. pointing out
that college women are healthier thar
others, as shown by statistics: coeduca-
ton leads neither to early marriage nor tt
celibacy. College students marry, al.
though later in life, making more careful
choices that result In fewer divorces
College women bear their due proportion
of children and bring up an unusually
large percentage Of them AS proof tina
co-education does not rob women Of an,
of their refinement and womanly gra
clousness, Miss Evans called attention t
the fact that Alice Freeman Palmer, Mis-
Schafer and Miss Hazard, presidents O.
leading women's colleges, were trained II
co-educational colleges and still wer,
found fitted to serve as examplars fo
young women students.
A Wholesome Restraint for Men.
Among the advantages Miss Evan
found In coeducation were the reduction
of the amount of dissipation and immor
ality which was apt to remain undetecte
in college for men, and made the rowdy
ism and social disturbance which Away
accompanies the massing of large bodie