Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-06-11
Chaperonage.


stitutiou. but there are numerous kinds
of society, and to those who wish to
avail themselves of what il has to offer.
| it will be necessary to conform to certain
rules Formerly the free American
daughters had everything in social life
very much their own way. Then came
the awakening, especially after fond
mothers learned that other countries
looked upon our girls as bold. independ-
ent creatures who were merely play
things in the gay circles of society. Not
until the tender spot was reached did
doting mothers realize that these Ameri-
can daughters were less protected and
shielded than any race of women on the
face of the globe. Foreigners said, IF
YOU realized what this freedom meant
you would consider it an injury
and not a privilege they We're enjoying
This called for the careful chaperon, the
girl-guardian to protect them from them
selves as well as others. To take out IL
cense for such restrictions was some
what of humiliation, perhaps, and it
met with derisiOn and bitter scorn and
was even Haunted us the most ridiculous
thing that society has ever adopted. But
il took, just like the measles and il
spread, and the cultured daughter today
is protected wherever she goes The
evolution of the chaperonage career, in
its proper sense, has been interesting
4 lie DaDS Is CdEeu lbE Dy the InotneE anu
nurse; the maid watcher her carefully
during little girlhood days and often ae-
companies her to parties; the young
womanhood days are carefully guarded
] by the maid, mother and chapeFon. She
is accompanied on her shopping tours as
well as her pleasure trips. Does it dc
any good? Are the results satisfactory
! Yes, when chaperonage is a careful I'M
dertaking
| 1t is said when foreigners first came
| to our country their daughters never
went any place without the mother sis
! ter, brother or some relative accompany
! ing them. Even today it is noticeable
when they first land, but the free life
! that the average American-born child
| leads soon has its effect and the sheltered
! child Of the most plebeian wanderer gets
out from under this guardianship be
/ cause 1t is 1.-THE way over here.
! If a young woman is motherless there
| is more need than ever for n good chap
eron. If she be a society girl her father
will engage a lady of birth, breeding and
! high moral standing as the guardian OF
| his daughter. She must be under the
| care of a very careful, thoughtful WON
an. The man of average means looks
! with grief upon his motherless girls, and
! many marry soon to provide what he
hopes will be IA natural protector for
! them.
Girl life is lovely; nothing is so dear
to any Of us, and girl character is 50
sweet and beautiful that it should be
! protected just as much as the most val
! liable possessions of a parent, for which
! reason it is earnestly hoped that chaper-
| onage will not grow old-fashioned, but
| become one of the stanch American
| traits for the benefit of good innocent
| girls. Surrounded with an atmosphere
free from the rough places in life dis
covered by the girl of liberties. the
guarded girl looks upon the world and
who know too much Of the stern realities
| nf lifn