The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-09-12

Large minds, as we'll as large bodies
move slowly. The public mind is large
and its gait proves the proverb. Il
moves, moreover, not freely and all al
once, but in sticky, gelatinous man
ner, like some huge slug; part OF II
being lifted and thrust forward with
a heavy reluctance. while the rest re-
mains glued to the ground.
1t Is still but short time since we
have sent our girls to school. Any
changes in education have come slow
ly enough, but even so, they have been
more rapid in the education of boys
than in that of girls. The age-old
habit of thought which held women as
of some lower species is not to be
shaken of in so short period as a
century.
There is no reason for surprise,
therefore, when We see manual train
ing gradually recognized as desirable
for boys and large sums spent in fit
ting up suitable places of instruction
for them, where hand. eye and brain
are trained to swift and accurate CO.
ordination by weh-adjusted tasks in
woodwork, metal work, basketry and
other crafts; while at the same time
girls are relegated to cooking and sew
ing.
The distinction is a clear one; boys
are trained in carpentry and smith
work, not because they are to be car
penters and smiths, but because of the
educational value of these industrial
processes. Girls are trained in cook
ing and sewing, not because of the edu-
cational value of these industrial pro-
cesses, but because they are to be
cooks and seamstresses.
The difference is that between man.
ual training and trade school. If we
are to have trade schools for our chill
dren, let us at least give them the va
ried basic knowledge and experience
which will allow of wise choice later,
when paid work is undertaken, and let
us offer these advantages equally to
children of both sexes
Here is where our historic slug, the
Girls are to be women. say the pub
lie mind. and women are to be cooks
therefore, teach girls to cook!
The first clause of this syllogism Is
true enough-girls will be women II
they live to grow uup. But is the
last clause as undeniable? Is cooking
a function of sex? Are all women by
nature, cooks? If they are, why labor
iously educate them?
Cooking as trade is often followed
by men, most successfully, most profit
ably. The best-known, best-paid cooks
In the world are men. Viewed as q
trade and valued as an educational
process, it should be taught to boys and
girls alike. But cooking has never
been considered specially desirable as
manual training. Some dexterity is
required, it is true, in deft and delicate
peeling Of potatoes, turning of ONE
lets. or tossing of lapjacks-Western
campers are highly skilled in this art,
1t is said-but the main issue in cook
ing Is not fingerwork. 1t requires
as of chemistry, physiology,
and hygiene, 1t requires a sense Of
taste and docility in following rules,
it is pleasant II one likes it, and use
full beyond cavil-but it is not manual
training. No. we do not really teach
girls cooking from any honest belief
In its educational value. but from an
obstinate conviction that they must
cook, whether they like 1t or not,
they are fitted for 1t or not;
and since they must cook, and man and
child must live or die by their cook
Ing they had better be taught some
thing about it. Suppose the public |
mind could by long-continued effort
be disabused Of this inherited preju-
lice.
Suppose it slowly rose to the idea
hat kitchen service and womanhood
Are not Identical.
Can we not recognize the fact that
cooking. serving and all the allied
labors involved in what we call do
nestle service" when we pay for 1t
and "a wife's duties" when we do not
are merely trades like any others, to
be pursued by whoever chooses. man
Or woman?
Our girls are to be women, of
course, and our women are to be moth
srs. 1t is to be hoped; but If we sim
cerely wish to fit them for that high
calling 1t is not cooking and sewing !
hat will do 1t.
II we wish to specialize the girls
we should teach physiology
fully and deeply; we should teach the |
great place and power of motherhood
In choosing. in selecting the best for
the father of her children; that girls |
might grow up with nobler ideals of