The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-05-16
WOmdn'S PAGE
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n ChiIdIeSS Wife.

its frSt meeting IN Washington recently, marked the
unfolding of a sentiment for advanced ideas in the
development of the child life, that is fraught with
hope for speedy betterment of conditions, especially
in our land, where civilzing influences are the
boast of our citizenship.
Mrs Frederic K School, President of this Con-
gress, delivered an address the subject, "a Child
less Wife," which is printed in the April edition of
the National Congress of Mothers Magazine, and
which, in view of its great merit reproduce:
The above title is the signature of article in
well-known periodical
The writer announces that she deliberately
chooses to be chdless, because she is engaged in
social activities which she considers most useful to
the world"
She doubts whether children would compensate
society for the loss of her other activities"
She fears the risk of health and life She doubts
the benefit of Transforming a well-pald magazine
editor and active social worker into mother and
housekeeper."
She demands financial independence and self
ownership and freedom"
She is young, well, and financially comfortable and
desires to live her own life"
She accepts the title of New Woman" and says,
"There are thousands of to-day"
God help the world if that be true! Surely this is
not a type of womanhood which can be regarded
as an Improvement the old. Yet if it be true that
there many like her, it may be we'll that the type
will perish, leaving no descendants.
One can but pity the childess wife, whose appre
citation of the real values of life is warped that she
deliberately chooses to forego the joys of mother
hood because, perchance the world would suffer if
her social activities" were curtailed. One ques-
tons the value of social activities based judgment
unSound, SO immature.
The marriage in which the wife demands freedom
for and financial independence of her is
business partnership not marriage in the true
The highest ideal of marriage is that husband
and wife together build the home in which children
nurtured, and in which they themselves knit
together in bonds that make them one.
True love does not demand freedom and indepen-
dence. 1t not considering how to prevent infringe
ment of rights 1t delights in doing and giving
to the one dearer than life.
The relations of husband and wife should be high
holy and pure-for they are Gods provision for the
continuance of the race, and for the closer union
in sympathy and the development of the best in each
which comes from true marriage.
The bride and groom at the altar having plighted
their faith have but entered the door of marriage.
Each year they live together, earnestly, unseshly
striving to keep their vows before God, they become
more and married, and more one in
thought, in heart and in purpose.
There is question of equality if one has the
true conception Of the relations between husband
ard wife. They supplement each other equal bit
different in their functions and duties and each
necessary to the other to make the perfect one.
The wife who is the home maker, the mother of
children, should share the income equally with the
husband. She earns just as much us he does.
much higher duty than wage-earner is hers to per-
irm and if she does it well she may we'll leave that
t" her husband
he woman whr motherhood for any .
the cited above i'll find her lac years nuch
cause for regret. The narrower life, the lack of
close ties, of joyful youth in her home the loss of
all the beauty and joy of life that in fatherhood
and motherhood heavy price to pay for Sin
dependence, social activity and freedom"
Lonely old age with no loved ones to brighten
and cheer it, will be her portion.
The women who avoid maternity are in almost
every case the women whose health is not good. 1t
S natural function which intended and brings its
blessings physically and morally
There many so-called social workers" who