New-York tribune., 1905-03-04
FOR IDLE GIRLS.
hrs. II. Parsons Plans to Bridge
Gap Betzceen School and Marriage.

Gap Betzceen School and Marriage.
new side of the problem of the unemployed
has been taken up by Mrs. Herbert Parsons in the
current issue Of Charities which out to-
cay Her article has nothing to do, however, with
poverty or money getting. The class TO which she
refers does not labor under any pecuniary dlsad-
vantage from employment. but does suffer
both mentally and morally, from the lack OF some
thing definite and worth while to do.
There is large class Of persons. she says, Eek
elusive OF paupers and criminals who during
certain period of their lives seem be purposivey
shut out from opportunities for systematic ac-
tlvlty OF almost every kind. I refer to the large
and, think. growing class of young women who
90 not marry for a period Of from five TO ten
years after they leave school or college. refer
also OF course. only those members of the class
who are not engaged in wage earning occupations.
or IN systematic although unpaid. domestic labor.
WHEN SHE STAYS AT HOME.
THESE girls. up to the age of sixteen eighteen or
twenty-five" continues Mrs. Parsons "are labO-
rlously educated in school. and a certain proper
ton OF them in college. habits of work. and
heh school or college days past they cut adr1ft
with the habit of doing but with nothing to do
IN many cases the girls family urge and with
much reasonabieness. that she has been away
much that it is time for her TO stay at home and
cultivate closer social relations with her family
ana acquaintances. 1t is held that coming out
VIII take all her time and energy. Moreover,
sldes paying calls etc. with her mother, she may
neip the latter around the house. shopping, etc
For year or TWO the girl may adopt. although
more or less questionngly. this plan of life. Help
ing around the house she finds means being inter
Fupted IN whatever she may be doing at any hour
OF the day TO do what she feels could have been
done better at another time and probably by
other person. so that she helps more and more
grudgingly Paying calls she frankly says she de
tests. At the end Of a year or two even the par
ties she enjoyed when she came out begin TO
pan AT this point she probably takes club at
social settlement becomes friendly visitor or
JOINS one Of the innumerable inconsequentiaI
classes designed for the unoccuped This her
IanlIy 90 not oppose. They have of course,
uced her growing restlessuess and discontent-it
mas been tar from being d companonabe disposi-
uon-and they feel that something outside Of her
seIf will do her good. But if that something
begins to interest the girl really for itself and not
LOT us effect upon herself If she begins to give
70 1t more than a sporadic hour or two week.
the family are at once up in arms The character
OF the resulting friction varies naturally according
TO the degrees OF affection and respect that exist
osL"teh the girl and her parents. but soon as
root OF her discomfort is an unsatished need for
Boss b aGfyslty and as long as her family
VII! De- In many the beIated professional
tlenent is the result less happy outconne il Ths
emp 9I1o5ttered nome staying old maid or. St.H
because she has nothing better to do
IN oLDEN DAYS THEY MARRIED EARLY.
This hiatus between school and marriage Mrs
parsons points out. is comparatively recent fact
IN OSgohe DAYS most girls Passed directly from an
apprenticeship in household arts in the home Of
|iAeE parents 10 the management OF homes of their
own. Moreover. the household activities of tba
past nave peen. to a great extent, removed from
@ Ine nome. nome. and In some cases even the work OF
ABSOLUTELY nothing in the way OF "heiping about
TS re mouse E for the stay-at-hOme daughter TO do
the }unthinng parent cannot 1T into his or her in
19eI-teq parental scheme. AS for the parents who
O he
SONS thinks that they are. a rule as much at a
loss TOT an answer to it tbs unntsiiigent and
nd IN this strait she suggests plan whereby the
ana OK others in similar plight may be utfized ~
care and education OF children Her ides js tba9 ae
normal courses should be established in sI1+abIs
possible the voi11teer SeKvses aVsa09 % as
their Ives o6y cases wiI give short period OF
courses would combine theoretical INSTRUCTION vitb
PraGuca! tii work. and the institutions giving the
9Sa OF the pupil assistants. The work which
[ e 44Ilng would involve and lead TO would cover
[ s[1Tn Iour to six hours day, and the girl could
Intercourse. Teachers College and The n qe@! bfs!
atespltai are suggested institutions that noigbt
day nurseries. "a 'Ne ->e"-ioFx
FITS THEM FOR MOTHERHOOD.
Ihis plan' Mrs. Parsons further points out. would
nave 'He advantage Of fitting the workers directly
LOT the duties Of motherhood thus sunnlvtn, .
great lack in most systems OF general s5oa49o
Il would not, she asserts. interfere with social
success; put would, the contrary further -bs
since social success depends upon ~,
tl-otS IhaLl on any other qualification and stba
@ @e6UISIn Whlch almost Invariably results from, the
essloi 0! outlets for activity OF an obiecfve
1eL ttlef Is incompatible with genuineiJ; sTr,
pGSd,e cSa C!S ana responsive state Of mind
SGoLSlQerlng the plan in it's relations n narso,s
Dc[aa I'll me workers and those directly con-
hected with them. Mrs. Parsons asks II froro scb
as, ,Is''ss might not grow at some distant" date
10y 10y nurseries. kndergartens and roof nIav-
5ie 5iTeaos c5o%nlng the tops of our tenements the
5 ~ Ses ana kinderSartners forming A partIv maid
a5d al Il party volunteer staff educational militia
t 50 20 sLe4k' connected with the public school ~
each neighhorhood"? F"' eS14'ol o4
&, a LIN Ilese dlscontented young women might Il
IS IS Isuggested come movement that would he the n
"a e~tIoh OF society, movement that uouId %
70 ne root OF the evils Of pauperisrn and eliminate
y eIlCdI ION the factors that defeat the u,orL
ot Lhe reIorrner and phantkropist ~ ~
me WIlIer asks for suggestions c-5ttots7,s
"a leIard 20 me proposed plan, and invites those
East 55th-st. eS' her AT NO IL
,.t hlTs: Fs5Tsons, who ts the daughter OF Henry
Cle"s and the wife Of Herbert Parsons Corgressy .y
iieCI' niaia-eieCI' Is Wen known for her interest in So
ccioslct subjects She took a course in sociooe-,,
at Columbia, and once served as school 1snectSS
C0Soe1<yo r.