New-York tribune., 1909-03-07
woMAN's ACTIVE PART IN WAR.
Afblefic Games for Women
Authors OF New Book Think Physical Training in
- Groups Ought Make for Good Citizenship
~ General Education.

be necessary TO her best development. When she
is sensitive, shy and socially unsought or unattrac
tive something aside books society is need
ed Such girl may go through life less wearily
and monotonousIy ard more healthfully if she has
had tho friends. success and social opportunity
which athletics give
Here are some Of the other good features Of ath-
letics:
Athletics give a sound body, good coordination.
normal impulses and control Of the appetites and
passions Any social consciousness based upon
these is sound to with. How many women
with opportunity and leisure to obtain these
claim them2 How many denied them by tie
demands Of the industrial and social systems. and
look life hopelessy and pessimisJicaly, lacking
the energy and JOY Of living which come from
them?
But aside from this health value. which is
generally recognized, they develop on the mental
side keen perceptions and complex thought proc
esses; the athletic side good personal habits and
improved appearance, and the social side,
group consciousness with its many varying express
sions of graciousness and power
The authors Of this book prefer women In
structors in athletics for
Men instructors show OF two tendencies.
First, II they a real interest they oyerwork
women because they do not realize their physical
limitations Second they go to the opposite
treme and think because women cannot play as
well much they play they
please! In that case they assume gallant and in
dulgent attitude and permit players to violate
rules, because they VIII not become PROFESSIONALS
and it does not matter This is really a most
serious objection the point of view of the
educational value of games.
When the instructor is a woman there is,
over, possible complication from the question of
sex Some persons in charge Of athletics think that
men interest girls more in their work and there
fore more desirable. Ordinarily the interest should
be in the game itself, and NOT in the who
teaches IL.
The great disadvantage in women teachers lies
in their narrow. individualistic training, which
often prevents their exemplifying developing de-
sired qualities Of character in their pupils; their
selfish tendencies; and their willingness to teach
are not made TO eliminate these defects, will
necessarily keep the lead in both quality of leader
ship and Of instruction
Tco many teachers Of athletics, says this book,
have little idea of their aim methods, of
their place in the social structure Too many lin
private schools simply graduates of schools OF
elocution and oratory. which IN reality offer
instruction whatever IN either the theory or prac-
tice Of athletics. Furthermore. their training is
opposed TO social education. Oratory, Delsarte,
vocal expression. dFamatics, music, reading, etc.
and the emphasis placed upon presence, grace.
poise are intensely indvidualistic. Valuable
these are they do not train teachers to develop
group qualities in players. Even when courses are
they retain their individualstic stamp. where
psychology is made to mean chiefly psychic develop
nent' or soul expression "