New-York tribune., 1909-03-07

In Athletic Games for Women by Gertrude
Dudley Of the University OF Chicago. and Francis
A. Kellor CNew York; Henry A. Holt & Coz, the
authors have made attempt al study OF gym
nas:ics There are already enough volumes, they
think dealing with that subject What they desire
70 emphasize is the value Of athletics a train
ing for citizenship and part OF general educa-
rion'-a means OF developing that group spirit
which. these authors feel. is too much lacking
among women, and also among men, However
they don't consider men n this book.
The group consciousness is beginning TO stir
IN women says this book. Perhaps the most sig
nihcant change in society's demand upon women
to-day is the substitution Of cooperative effort for
anaiyiduaiistIc effort and the development Of group
consciousness beyond the family circle This has
been gradual process. so gradual that many
women in the secluded walks OF life do not
see the need of change in the training OF women
10 meet demand the full meaning Of which they
fail 10 grasp.
There has been too much technique in the so
cIal education of women
1t Is not our purpose 10 critcise present educa
tional methods. but rather 70 suggest a way In
which thev may be so extended thar girls may re-
cefve a better social education, thereby increasing
group consciousness and responsibility by a sym
pathetic interest in and understanding their play
fellows and fellow workTaen- The demand for So
cIal education now, far as it : met at all
by instruction along purely intellectual lines, BY
courses economics. sociology, politics, etc, in
the spirit and little conscious effort is made to
Increase social efficiency by developing and training
the spirit itself We believe that athletic games
the spontaneous Yet directed expression Of the play
spirit are peculiarly fitted, II intellgeItly used 10
increase social efficiency through the development
Of the right social spirit That this efficiency falls
short the need IS. in measure, que 10 some Of
The limitations placed upon the education Of wom-
en-. rather than 70 incapacity-'
The athletic field is not unlike the field of hfe
So ID are a. uo 2
preparation for life IF the girl PLAYER is not ex
pected To- mind the rules:
Every field. like every game has its established
rules and Tezulations-be II domestic social, prOfes
sional OF industrial The fact that women have
had 10 large direct part in formulating these rules
does not excuse them from sustaining them il is
q mistake to think that the selfish Individuals
whether woman, can enter any field or
game and play fair without a knowledge Of the
rules ana penalties and without training. The wei
fare Of society depends upon the rules being upheld
or changed only with the fuI knowledge of all
ou;yettinn : the prevailing spirit. and the devel-
pment Of cooperation is the problem in every field
OF activity in which society is concerned Good,
clean success requires fair. economical and crop
ratie rules in order that players may be equal be
fore item and individual waste may be avoided
through team work. This being true. is there any
reason why women, in their respective fields of ac-
fiEIsy and thought should not abide by the rules
Of the game 5r contribute their enforcement and
Improvement II iReE are ceIScl4Ne III te qudtles
which make for rapid adjustment. is i; not reason
able 10 include 81 their education such training
rvII Increase their social understanding and eii-
cIencyg"
Athletics are i godssnd 70 the shy girl:
The on ssion Of athletics as pedagogical factor
seems almost ipexPicable when II Is rerneInoered
.Iat they NAV often succeed where other activities
% .be school fail fer they can ne used to de-
.elop mentality and character by means Of dsci
mine which other pedagogical methods do not pos
sess Many a girl cannot attain high scholarship
or ociai distinction. yet success or prominence my