Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-16
MODERN GIRLS
WORRY ENGLISH
Mothers Can't Understand
Daughters Fad Madness.
ny JEANNE JupsoN.

LONDON. Feb 16.-It Is both amusing
and interesting 20 near different peoples
versions about the modern English girl.
There are distracted mothers who com
plain Of the freedo moi action claimed by
their daughters Of their dance madness
and carelessness Then come opinions
from the girls themselves, Justifylng their
new mode Of living, and now and then
moan from some pessimistic bachelor who
loudly proclaims that no man Will marry
these girls
These opinions are interesting because
they are indicative Of the new era that
is beginning for English women; they
are amusing because the protests OF yes
terday against today are always funny,
and sometimes a little pitlful rs well.
The concern OF the mothers IS, I am
sure. exaggerated. The dance craze IS
the natural reflex action OF five years OF
serious work and heartbreaking anxiety.
II is perhaps a little hysterical. but It is
harmless The dropping OF some OF the
fashioned congentionalitics may have
wounded the feelings OF Mrs. Gruudy. but
IL should be a subject Tor congratulations
with everyt ody else concerned. Girls who
have worked for five years in hospitals,
canteens, factories and government Offices
have lost their old attitude toward men.
They have worked side by side with
them and have learned to regard them as
human beings instead OF mere matri-
Inonial possibilities.
II must be a great relief to a man 10
know that he can invite girl to din
ner or dance without being ex.
pected 10 declare his intentions"
His intentions are probably exactly
the same as those OF the girl-simply
to be entertained and entertaining.
But the change In English women Is
not confined to their social life. There
was In England before the war n large
class, almost unknown in America, whose
positino. they then thought, did sot
permit them to go into business or
profession.
HAVE RECORD OF
DUTY WELL DONE.
They simply sat at home waiting for
some man to marry them Their in
comes were not sufficient FOR luxuries or
extravagances and their lives were. at
least. according to the American view
point, peculiarly empty and uninterest-
ing.
When the war came these women wenr
to work as a patriotic duty Many Of
them are stlll working. Most OF them
find the life Of usefulness and sctivity
barren idleness, and, In addition, many are
forced toi continue. for their modest In
comes. sufficient before the war, are
totally inadequate in these days Of high
prices.
In few years English women have
assumed the position in the business,
social and political affairs OF their couu-
try that has been acquired by American
women over much longer period. When
one considers the short time in which
this change has been wrought, the ire
mendous responsibilities, as well as priv
ileges, which they have assumed either
through force OF circumstances or volun,
tarily, one must admit the they have kept
their heads very well indeed
Anxious mothers and pessimlstic old
men need not fear for the future. Eng
lish girls are well able to carry on with
their new liberties and responsibilities.
Their record from 1914 to 1918 is surely
sufficient guarantee Of that