Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-20
CO. CO-EDJJCATION'S ADVANTAGES
NOT UNMIXED GOOD, GIRL FINDS
A University Young Woman Says intellectual
Contact With Men, if They Are Not
Buffers, Is Beneficial
EDITORIAL FOR WOMEN BY A WOMAN
By LAURA MARY HEIsLER, "Co-ed"
UNDOUBTEDLY there is much to be

JINDOUBTEDLY there is much to be
~ said on both sides of co-education
in general and and of co-education at
the University in particular. The CHIEF
disadvantage Of Co-cducation from
girls point of view is that the daily con-
tact with habitual buffers among the
boys inspires in the girls such disgust as
to cause them TO develop into mere
grinds. otherwise the boys do not par
ticularly disturb the equanimity OF the
girls college life. In fact, the boys are
even advantageous to the goods. Per-
haps the greatest service they render
US is that OF affording US the novel SEN
sation Of not being wanted. Since oppo-
stion Is a stimulus and the introduction
of hazards" adds zest to the game
possibly II Is better for us that the boys
should be unwilling to sacrifice their pre-
negatives and cheerfully hold open doors
and chivalrously refrain from using the
backs of seats as footrests.
In addition 20 the advantages that
the co-eds derive from the negative
qualities of the boys. there are certain
gains accruing from the positive quail
ties
| In the first place. II may he stated
as "A general proposition that women 8
minds are broadened by intellectual con-
/ tact with men. Most of the women VINO
| have had careers have been helped IN
! their work or at least influenced by
men, as, for example, George sand,
| whose first book was published with
/ the helpful advice of Jules Sandeau.
| These women have got intellectual stin-
ullS from their collaboration with men
| who. In general, are apt TO have "A
broader outlook than women. Because
of the war. which has taken away so
many of the older men from the Unit
| versity. co-education there is not this
| year what il is in theory or what 1t has
| been, in past years. However. not
withstanding this fact, there are certain
things in college work IA girl may learn
from even younger boys. For instance.
boys. excluding the buffer class, are
apt to be more direct than girls in their
methods of working. The other day
professor was heard to remark to one
| of his classes that the girls usually In
examination papers seemed to feel
called upon to take up an enormous
amount OF space with matter that was
wholly irrelevant. lie went on TO say
that his boys on the other hand, seemed
better able or more willing to pin them
selves down to writing only what was
strictly pertinent.
| Another hint that girls could take
from boys is in sidetracking feminine
"motionalism and using common sense
IN going ahead directly, even at tasks
that are new. In chemistry laboratory
/ IL
few boys pushing ahead with an experi-
(nent Just as new to them as to the
girls, while the girls timidly started. then
hesitated while and finally went 10 the
boys for instruction.
The University tends to have a broad
cning effect, however, not only by means
of the boys. but because of the large
number of people and the great variety
OF their aims. tastes, ages and interests
The Knocking against 20 many women
whose words are entirely different from
your own, Instead of meeting always
girls of the same age who have had the
same advantages as you and whose in
terests and aims are your own, is i'm
itself broad education. Persons who
are doing things you never thought of
doing, who without complaining of being
busy are doing twice as much az you
ever tried to do, are bound TO have a
stimulating influence upon you
When you look around and see what
can be done and what is being done
your estimate of your own Importance
and worth shrivels. Association with
older, earnest workers whose paths have
not been strewn with roses serves to