The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-14
AVERAGE CITY GIRL UNFIT
FOR FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIES
Beatrice Forbes Robert.
son Hale Says They
Are Encouraged to
Think More of Gayety
Than of Duties. Il Ter
Ideas of American
Husbands and What
Women Want

Beatrice Forbes Robertson Hale
as she sat in the living room Of
her home at Forest Hills Gardens
Speaking upon some phases OF the
feminist movement, that being the
subject IL her recent book, a volume
Of serious Interpretation concerning
"What Women Want The most
ardent " ~sufiragists. barring extreme
radicals, could hardly find fault with
her various propositions laid down in
logical order. nor could any but the
mos, conservative of ants Both
factions. however. may feel. here and
there. the impact of a decided Jolt to
u Is generally accepted.
Il may be mentioned in passing that
phc whose book is now causing wide
comment is the daughter Of Ian Rob-
,r,son and niece Of the actor
To~hes-Rcbcrtson. in whose
$40 formerly played. -Four years ago
she married Sw!nhurne Hale. a New
York lawyer. and gave up the stage.
Since ten she has lectured in twenty
two states on such themes as the
drama. the poets and modern polit-
teal conditions. Her lecture
IS a patient soul. hut at times he tears
his hair. because after he has planned
o smashing big tour Mrs. Hale gently
reminds him that she won't stay away
from her husband. her babies and her
home NOR than a few DAYS Mt a time;
AMI on that point she is adamant.
Whom scarcely more than a girl Mrs.
Hale recognized the onward sweep Of
though, In many countries regarding
tho 4eceptsnce Of woman as an equal
partner. as a comradc. with man In
the out,cs and responsibilities Of life
and foresaw something OF the ire
wendo1s effects which would result
from this revolution IN the social
ue.'lu.-m. From that time she has
devoted herself in large measure to
studying various sides Of the situa-
tlor. and hv writing and public speech
as '~udeavored to further a sane.
moderate course. while discouraging
radical extremists.
I'm p very fundamental sense" said
w. Halo. there Is always something
~ tho child in woman's estimate OF
man. pnl in the love that she gives
YIN 'loro IS something Of the tender
ress ~ the mother for his boyishness.
ne vol as the admiration Of the
woman for all his manly qualities. To
w. doep woman nature Il seems that
sSe e occupied with NE itself and he
w.'h the game ~ life, whether Il he
80 rame Of money making or war or
politics"
Woman is tire mother ~ the race
sNa continued. Maternity - 40
n'c' 'arger. So much more compre-
VEN han paternity. The oma
WI really loves a man IL NOT content
Uoto' 20 receive love and protection
from ann; she must also protect and
care for him. giving him a mothers
love as we'll az a wlfe's. This atti-
'"1e always exists IN the heart Of
on" woman who really loves. but II
may he atrophiod by the artificial
education ~ the modern girl. or by
fo~ husbands artificial attitude tow
al rpr.
'Iooh A. The average girl Of a
,am.'" comfortably well Off. living in
ono ~ the larger cities. She is
Wrought into active social lifc a. FAR
TO o.rv an aGe. She is permitted.
ovrN encouraged. to think moro Of
fov.n- q good time than OF having
6i''es 20 perform. responsibilities 10
rSoN'4er. SHE Is made 10 feel that
" come u~naCCountahle way she is a
Queen 20 he served hy those about
Wa. whereas. IN Justice t. her. M
ve' ~ - those who some day viii
'~.'7ndent upon her, she should he
'.'uchI m 10 the idea OF service 10
o''"r7 Soma day. as surely 90 the
daFT come and 70, she Will have re-
snong'nl!t'es thrust upon her. And
N many an instance such a girl will
lind their burden too great 20 bear.
AS for tho American husband. he
gives his wife too much and asks of
her too Ettle IN return. To-day house
io.a work has been SO much s!mpli-
ned by invention and machinery that
most OF the downright ~drudgery Is
gone watch formerly broke down u
Frandmothers, The preserving and
preparation OF foods, tho making OF
Clothes, lighting. heating. cleaning-in
a thousand directions the burden has
been removed. The old work of mother
tad home maker IL gone, and the new
YORK not found. Yet what do we see2
here IL the ambitious, energetic Amer
an husband becoming moro And
more immersed in his business. be-
coming more and moro fascinated in
paying the game, not so much to
maze money as 10 win the game itself.
The husband gives his wife money
lor household and other expenses and
p'ungta back into the game. leaving
her TO find outlet for her activities
"here she may-in groups OF other
women giving teas. playing cards. do
ing any number Of things harmless
enough IN themselves when taken with
moderation, but wholly inadequate to
employ time and attention a they do.
Scar In mind, please. that I am re-
'rTng 70 women OF families far
topve M hunger line, living in large
towns and great cities.
In my opinion the husband should
oern9nd N his wife some equivalent
Tor the results Of his work, even II
nat work no tho game Of business;
'o' N" money he hands her. the re-
Fp'uS h''tY ~ support he assumes.
ana perhaps the most remarkable
P'"0omonon in the whole woman's
movement is tho attitude of men tow
n'f i these difficulties with
brorhrr,' nv whom I mean that hun
oNs ~ variability and o~bstinacy. SEN
omSntahy and pN0ticshty which