Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-04

A composite picture Of the sue
cessful American marriage represents
it not as a passionate and romantic
attachment but rather as a deep and quiet
and enduring companionship.
This sensible although somewhat proSaic
conception Of matrimony formed after
studying the answers to a recent QUESTIONABLE
circulated throughout the country, in which
one Of the leading questions posed was this
one:
what have been and are the factors and
ehings which have made your marriage happy,
satisfying, Successful?"
Mrs. Chase Going Woodhouse of the North
Carolina College for Women conducted the
survey in which the QUESTIONABLE figured. The
study was made under the auspices Of the
Bureau Of Home Economics. Washington, D. c.,
and the Child Development and Parental Edu-
cation Committee of the American Home Eco
Monies Association.
Such old-fashioned and sterling qualities as
alutruism, thrift industry, patience and .
sense OF justice were listed as among the de.
siFable attributes for mate to possess-Qual-
tides which would sit well upon the Puritan
Npaad at the spinning Wheel but which ought
NOT to be too incongruous associated with mod
egn woman behind her desk, pushing buzsers
End hicking ashes off her cigarette.
Love OF children, the desire to found q COM
portable home and an understanding and ap-
probation Of ethics and religion were also
considered to be most desirable character traits.
I'll OF which mayor may not-indicate that
the pendulum is swinging back to more normal
standards Of living, to saner philosophy
of life.
II want the survey to be on the positive
side," explained Mrs. WoodhouSe. 80 many
families in difficulties of one sort and another
have been studied in the past that thought
at would be good idea to use as subjects for
tho survey OF the happy families those which
have adjusted satisfactorily"
4 /R6. WOODHOUSE obtained q group Of -
persons, principally college trained men
and women in early middle life through whom
me could make her investigation. It was q
veil educated professional group, representing
. stable, thinking element Of the country.
Most Of the men and women had canildhoods
with urban backgrounds, but there were also
Aome from villages and farms. The subjects
came from every section of the United States,
With thee larger proportion from the Middle
West, the Middle Atlantic and the New Eng
land States.
When the answers to the numerous ques-
IONS having q bearing on marital happiness
Were read, some Of them were surprising and
unexpected Recognition Of individual per.
sQnality, for example, was rated above fidelity.
N7delity, IN fact, was mentioned only four
pines and m each case by man. although
- was assumed that those answering the QueS-
faons took for granted the faithfulness Of their
4nates.
AS for relationships between husband and
4afe. cooperation outranked all the others.
similar background, economic independence
Send progressive interests were stressed. Mu.
t1d sharing Of joys, sorrows and responsible
91eS were mentioned often. UNDERSTANDING
insight, frankness and integrity were qualities
that were not sighted; neither were tolerance,
sympathy, affection, sense of humor and nm.
Eelfshness. willingness to sacrifice, loyalty,
0heerfulnesS, sef-control, forbearance and an
64finctiVa nOint 0f VII uyoro
Before discussing the findings of her sur
yey, Mrs Woodhouse referred to some Of the
present-day marital difficulties which might
De- avoided the inharmonious couples would