San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-02
Foolishness
Of Petting
BY Beatrice Fairfax.

we are sometimes lncllneu 10 SINH
down at Miss Seventeen as a mer
child incapable Of clear thinking. Ye
it's not to be forgotten that nowaday'
Miss Seventeen goes about far NOR
freely than Miss Eighteen did in for
mer days of close chaperonage. Sh
gets her own impressions, reads an,
reasons for herself. And her opinion,
are often sound and worth while, ever
though they lack the authority an'
judgment of later years.
Here's an interesting letter, which
gives the point of view of one IL
year-old girl on a subject that evi
IDENTIFY puzzles her as it does many al
older girl.
Dear Miss Fairfax:
I'm a girl Of II and I've enjoyed
articles by you pertaining to petting
and indiscriminate kissing.
what inspired me to write you il
the fact that so many mothers now
adays allow their girls and boys tc
take part in kissing games. Perhaps
they are like my mother, who leaves
such questions for myself to decide.
80 far, I've managed to keep out
Of the games. The result: perfectly
unenjoyable evening.
"Only last night 1 was called bum
sport That's what causes most girls
to play such games. At least that's
the case with my friends. They don't
like to be called spoil-sports.
Il don't think I'm a bad sport fol
sticking up for what I think is right
do you? But you can't do it and be
popular.
You can see that we do just about
as older people do, only they call il
petting and we call it kissing games
Don't you think parents should talk
to girls and boys about this? If they
could persuade boys and girls how
wrong their kissing games are per
haps later on they wouldn't indulge in
promiscuous petting.
AS for popularity, il girls would
only take a stand together they could
put a stop TO kissing games and pro
miscuous petting. For if girls re
fused there wouldn't be anyone to play
such games. Girls and boys coult
easily find other ways to pass the time
such as dancing and nicer games.
Wont you please write an article
about this?
SEVENTEEN"
There's logic and common sense il
what you write, dear Seventeen. Ant
in this generation, when, obviously, 81
much Of vital importance is left Il
girls and boys to settle for themselves
you need all your logic and common
sense, don't you!
OF course, there always has been
perhaps always will be-petting. til
natural for a man to demonstrate hi,
fondness for woman he loves in som,
| fashion such as a kiss or caress. II
utterly condemn what is natural would
be foolish and useless.
But the discussion centers abou
boys and girls and men and womer
who, without being seriously in low
and engaged, pass the time away b!
incessant kisses and caresses, which
are not beautiful and sacred symbo
of deep affection and amount to moth
ing more nor less than mauling a CIR
about.
As petting goes on and becomes more
and more popular it ceases to be tn,
least bit individual or complimentary
and becomes a maudlin, automatic ant
meaningless practice.
Girls are becoming more and NOR,
satiated, bored and disguised with tn,
promiscuous "mauling." Without doub
the fad will soon go out of fashion
because, as Seventeen expresses it
when girls refuse "there won't be any
one to play such games.
Congratulations, Seventeen. That
you have the courage and individuality
TO stand out for what you believe j:
right despite "razzing," means you are
TO that extent girl of charm. YOU
boy friends are not going to thinl
you cheap or easy. And in the lone
run you'll not lose popularity through
commanding respect.
You needn't be prim or stiff. Jolly
healthy, sensible girls are usually love
able and loved. They are delightful
pals and companions in sports and al
dances, even though they don't per.
nit Tom, Dick and Harry to kiss and
embrace them with or without ex
cuse.
Continue to stand for what's right
Seventeen. Garry on, like the daring
independent modern girl you are, The
chances are 100 to 1 some day you
will marry man who will love you
most of all because you are trustwor-
thy. Your yes will be precious to him
because he knows you have the cour-
age to say no and can mean it, yet
saw IL sweeflv