Evening star., 1934-12-09

their training and seek self-expreS-
sion; 228 enjoy financial independ-
ence: IL desire to complete their edu-
cation and 3 to teach because by so
doing they believe they will better un-
derstand their own children
There are children in the care of
this group either their own or adopted
ones. The figures indicate that each
married woman has l78 of the coming
generation to take care of.
From this survey and from other
sources it is evident that many mar
ried women work because they wish
to give their children a good educa-
ton. They are ambitious to be edu-
Gated themselves and certainly there
Is confirmation of the statement de-
duced from the survey of Mrs La
Toilette, that many urge their hus-
bands to attend schools and colleges.
The effort of married couples to
have homes of their own and to main
tain good standard of living is
largely responsible for the wife work.
ing, as shown by various sociological
surveys. This is well borne out by the
fact that of the 652 families covered
IN the Columbia report so per cent
either own their own homes or are
buying them. About half the 446 en-
ployed husbands of the 652 wives So
hcited in the survey have incomes of
less than S2,500 year One fifth
of the husbands in the 652 families
mentioned are unemployed or unem-
ployable or have only desultory en-
ployment. However, some Of the hus-
bands who are working or have busi-
nesses of their own are fairly well of.
There are 80 who earn more than
S., 1000 year. and two OF that select
few receive $1,000 or more.
Wives Earn Money for Extras
Recent investigations by sociologists
indicate that the average American
family desiring the necessities and
comforts of life and some of its recre-
ations and Injuries should have at
least s2,50o year. The group studied
by Mrs. La Toilette are striving toward
this financial goal and beyond it by
the joint efforts Of husbands and wives
in most cases. Several families are
using what the husband earns for
running expenses and the wife con-
tributes the extras or the things which
the family can do without in the
event of financial stress.
Although so many of the married
women of this survey are in the pro-
fessional ranks, husbands who are en-
ployed make a little more than their
wives on the average. There are in
stances, Of course, in which the wife
excels in income. A woman pharma-
cist is mentioned who makes $4,000
year for herself, and besides that pays
her husband a salary of $4,000 and
percentage of the profits Of her two
stores. Another of the group who for
seven years before her marriage he d
been a stenographer is a partner Of
her husband in sl000.000 contract
ing business created by their united
efforts
Husbands Appreciate Efforts.
The attitude of husbands to the oc-
cupations of their wives varies much
as strong personal equations enter into
it. 1t appears that in about five
sixths of the cases cited the man and
woman contemplating marriage had
talked over the likelihood of the wife
working. Fully half the husbands ap-
preciate the efforts of the wife to do
her part, or to be financially inde-
pendent, and lit are reported as be-
ing immensely proud of the capabil-
tiles of their wives.
A very searching question as to
whether the wives believed that by
working they neglected their husbands
received surprising number Of direct
and specific answers. OF the group
under consideration 258 declared
there had been no complaints and
they firmly believed they were guilty
of no neglect whatsoever Thirty
seven passed up on reply to this in
quiry The remaining 357 held that,
judged by some standards at least,
they felt that they were derelict in
duty, but some qualified this by say
ing somewhat" and giving certain
details.
Whatever the economic conditions
involved, the great and overwhelming
majority Of the group, STA, say they
would do over again Just what they
are doing. Only 36 said mo" and
AZ omitted to answer. Most of the
652 report themselves as happy in
their jobs.