The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-13
VI DICE Of the People
rnhnnce Morality Of Manhood

To the Editor Of The Times Dispatch:
Sr.Noung tho public condemna
tion %! the double standard Of morals
by II prominent BODY OF Richmond
women, am led TO study the sub
!1ct In view of finding. causes While
there may he several reasons why
separate standards exist. / believe the
chieL one is the lower social valne the
OF manhood, The fields Furnishing
abundant proof OF This are many
IN much of the standard literature
81 manhood low when compared with
the valuation of the morality of Wo-
m ,.slii,;o ~, a writer in beqnea,hims
people does it in this way: Let All
our sons be hray". ami All our daugh
ters virtuouS.' In standard diction-
airy the author in defining the adjcc-
tive Nirtuous' adds that lit is APP
piled especially to women" In edu-
cationai inStltuilonS this vast differ
ence IN valuation has unqucstionably
existed. wcll-founded tradition is
TO the effect that Thomas Jefferson
whose chivalry we cannot question.
thought society should conccde more
mora! latitude to man than to woman.
And Mn:on's collcgcmates. for example.
ne ADVOCATES q singh" standard OF
morals Is II an cNaSSeration to say
me majority of mora! teachers and
public Speakers place different en-
phasis and values upon the morality
of the sexes? Would we have no
grounds for saying some fathers have
daughters that they viii shield them
10 the limit of their power. and at
GARD for the morality OF their sons
( that they Will encourage them in wan
tonness? Civil law bars the door Of
the Rilded saloon To woman to pro
tect her, and opens IL wide 10 wreck
manhood. The average chivairous
man would consider il an insult 10
man on 81 hask of whiskey, but is slow
TO regard the same olfcnsc as an In
suit to manhood II woman smokes
cigarette, the New Worlds new
hend. Publicity" assails her, but the
press takes little notice OF the same
banefu loffense committed by man:
unlawful and unsacred relations Of the
SEXES. Society demands both parties
| 70 suffer dishonor But the woman
| personal purity; the man not because
OF the loss OF so sacred possession,
out or,r; Toieiiy becnnse Of the element of
youth several years younger than his
companion In sin. the same rule holds
virtue Is he'd up to The young girl as
personal attainments are often re-
garded AZ more important. Until re-
! cent years small messenger and errand
and brothels in discharge OF duty I
| mink 1T universal truth that the
amount OF concern by either. man or
1 woman in acquiring personal posses
sions is proportionatc to the social
| ADVERTISEMENT of such possessions
/ Taking broad view Of the sub
jcct from the standpoint Of woman,
/ we ma she is more protected by law
! warned by sentiment, encouraged by
appraisement ostracized by society,
| ana In addition, less inclination to any
form of immortality. From the stand
point of man the restrictions in the
realm OF social control are less strin-
gent, TO speak plainly, separate
STANDARDS are implied in the fact that
I the state and public sanction allow
more temptations 10 exist for men than
for women.
IN expressing my views as [ have,
would not dcpreciatc in the least
the sanctity Of womanhood and the
high social valuation Of her morality.
t'ut | do believe there is injustice done
both men and woman in undertaking
tho sanctity Of manhood. Further.
can but believe that n social conscience
Will result from the evident change
of the legal and social status Of wo-
man necessitatinG a better adjustment
of This difference To don tho thread
pare cloak--the morality of one sex
is more necessary than the other
would do great deal towards equal
iZinE the moral standard
l., w HCNDRICKSON