The Washington herald., 1909-01-17
WOMEN as HELPMEETS.
Some Tart criticism of the Petted
American Wife.

Prom Tire New York Triuune
The idea that the position Of American
women IS Superior 10 that OF any other
women IN the world Is characterized by
Mary Heaton Worse. IN the January Ap-
plet0n's as a national delusion She
admits that they are undoubtedly the
most INDUCED and petted women IN the
world" but as FOR real respect she thinks
that the cOwntrodden German hausfraC
gets more. The German husband may
seem 20 US unchivalrous IN the minor de-
tails Of life He may talk with brutal
disparagement about the female brain.
but when he goes out to smuse himself
It doesn't occur 20 him 10 go alone. He
takes with him MS wife and his children
That pathetic person whose husband
negiects her for the society OF men. for
whom our tears flow so often in this
country. IS not found in Germany
The reason assigned is that BY her skill
ful household management the hausfrau
has become a source Of wealth TO the
country. The part which women play
IN the national life is what makes them
pre-eminent or relatively unimpOrtant.
says the article The amount Of small
courtesy shown them really does not
make much difference. Show me a coun-
Try where its women add 10 the cOuntry's
wealth by participating in the business OF
that country. or By their thrift. and I
vii show You a country where the
economic position or women is a higher
one" In France. where the woman is
her husbands cOmrade and business part
ner. she has the most power
'As a contrast 20 this. the American
man stands alone. The women folk OF
his family DO not help him. As far as
his business goes. II is quite immaterial
70 him whether he has a wife or whether
he has not. Our men may talk as much
as they Ike about the uplifting influence
OF noble woman. and OF the tangible
support that the thought OF her nobility
gives them. II does not alter the fact
that the average American man transacts
all the business OF his life without ever
dreaming Of turning 20 his lies partner
for any counsel in the matter-and gen
orally without her even having any
knowledge OF the business IN hand
There is coniradeShip between young
girls and men. Mrs. Worse finds. but il
ceases Just AZ the time when the latter
began the real business Of life. For this
state Of affairs she thinks the women
are TO blame
When a man first marries II is his
instinct TO take his wife into partnership
with him. II is natural for a man 10
want 10 talk about that which takes I'D
most OF the hours he is awake TO the
person he cares for most In the world -
But the wife checks these advances &C
oOTding 70 her nature and disposition.
Either she viii slip her arm through
Johns and say ccsxingly: Don't let's
talk about hOrrid business. dear: let's
talk about something nice. You ought
10 rest when you get home Or less
Agreeable and more honest, she may a6-
NIT frankly that business bores her"
So the man actually comes to think
that he ought to leave his business cares
at the Office He sits bored and silent
in his own home" while his wife COM
plains that he is. so absorbed In business
that he has no interest left for anything
else -
7 do not for a moment mean" the
article concludes, to bring the influence
Of woman in her household down 10 a
matter of dollars and cents, but Il Is not
probable that the spiritual bond between
man and woman was ever less because
they were helpful partners TO each other
in the affairs Of everyday life"