The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-16
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE "

/ wonder how much of the blame for
hasty marriages and ruined lives belongs
TO men and women whose years ought
to have brought to them sense but ap-
parensly did not! Boys and girls of sim
liar tastes are attracted TO each other
and find innocent pleasure in playing to-
gether They are observed by parents
or other relatives who put innocence to
flight by silly remarks about sweethearts
and marriage.
Johnny has sweetheart" says his
mother to a friend. who CHATS the boy
bit about the little girl of whom he has
made a playmate. He does not forget
the scene or the conversation, for childish
memories are good. When next he meets
his playmate he sees her in a new light
and the chances are he repeats the things
he has heard Her attitude toward him
undergoes a change and starts into pre-
mature life a sentiment that makes chem
lose portion of their childhood, and,
perhaps ends In an elopement and a heap
Of misery worse condition is an in
clination 10 try the new knowledge on
companions for il creates a class of
fiirts that are a menace to the world at
large
Wholesome minded men and women we're
brought upon sensible plans where child
hood was prolonged instead of being
shortened as il Is now. Girls and boys
played together without thought of
sentiment and counting was done at an
age when marriage could be understood
There were early marriages Ia those days
but they were generally happy ones be-
cause the parents approved and the
young people took life with a proper de-
gree OF seriousness, The marriage Of
boy 20 the mother of nine children could
not have been possible then, for boys
had other thoughts in their heads and
their companions were girls Of their own
age.
l presume that every mother reserves
the right 10 bring up her own children
as she pleases. but the manner in which
the Job is often botched makes us be-
lieve that freedom Of action is not always
the best thing The standard Of morality
is rather low and the young people are
doing nothing TO elevate IT, Girls dis
appear from home and are sometimes
never found Frequently they are discov-
cred in places and conditions that reflect
no credit upon them. As for bOys-wcn,
we hear enough about their refusal 20
DO of use in the world and the annoyance
they cause the world by reckless living
I cannot help thinking that the fault lies
In their bringing up, for there are boys
and girls OF whom parents may Justly
be proud. and they did not start life
under conditions differing much from
the other kind.
| We do not see much Of the mothering
Of dolls nowadays Girls 90 TO dancing
school, To parties and PLAYS and all those
/ tend TO make them mature quickly and
| lose interest in toys. I know women who
confessed 70 playing with dolls at sixteen
I and shedding tears when they were shamed
/ into putting them aside. Fancy girl
/ Of sixteen being Interested in childish
/ things In this century, She Is doing hee
1 best to grow up so that she may have
/ the pastimes Of her elders. She has ad-
mirers before she Is out OF school, and
| Is seasoned IN affairs Of the heart before
/ she is old enough 10 make a wise choice
/ Of a life partner. So much for the care
less wordslof mothers falling upon eager
/ listening ears.
BETTY BRADEEN.