Evening star., 1948-12-02
Letters to The Star
An American Woman Replies

An American Woman Replies
70 the Editor Of The Star:
Having read Gica Bobichs article in This
Week magazine giving her opinions OF Amerl-
can women Opinions admittedly recorded
after her immediate arrival here in the States
and some only six months subsequent I de-
cided to refute, ad seriatim, her ideas as, to
why we are not so desirouS (again In her
opinion) as women of her native Italy.
She writes, we are "overactive, restless and
tense" Perhaps overactive because the day
is limited to "a hours into which must be
crammed husbands early breakfast, babys
breakfast, dishes, washing, shopping. ironing,
baking, mending. sweeping, just to mention
few of the everyday chores and not to men,
ton being burned up reading her article and
deciding to take a few precious moments to
let go some of that restless intensity of which
she accuses American females. Perhaps, too,
her research hassb been among the ultra set
whose main avenues for outlet physical and
mental, are the dim-lit cocktail lounges fire.
quented by dim-wit loungers.
To say our emotional life is unsatisfactory
proves my point. Speaking for myself I've
been married 40 months 27 of which have
been spent in maternity dresses and my hus-
band is as happy as am with the pews OF
bear me out. To be honest though our hus-
bands never bow with patent-leathered pates
to kiss our hands land so far as I've observed
and read neither do the continental husbands
the lovers perhaps, never the overbearing
husbands) but their love goes beyond the pale
of fluff and reaches into the realm of reality.
Mine washes babys clothes and does dishes
when he senses my fatigue from the days
restlessness. Sentiment we share in a song
remembered from courtship days and perhaps
, in the reviewing of our almost daily letters
dispatched during his Navy days in the Pacific
and mine waiting in New York
Mention of the emotional troubles of Amer
ican women leads me all the more to believe
that poor Miss Bobich has met the wrong set.
My friends don't ride to hounds, they ride the
bus; they don't have help they have babies;
they don't know Illustration, they're too busy
enjoying fulfillment; and we're not dowagers
by any means; we're on the smiling side of 80,
but we know where we're going, with whom
and why. Our husbands have set the compass,
and though at times the shoals and the squalls
push us bit off the needle, our vision Is keen
and the horizon looms ever beautifully ahead,
maybe years ahead, but It's a sweet journey
together.
Standardization, Mechanization Denied.
The only thing with which agree in the ar
ticle under discussion is Miss Bobichs terrific
and charming city of New York. wherein she
states that women are caught up in mael-
strom of standardized, mechanized activity
which compels them to run if they do not want
to be left behind" Don't kid yourself, sister,
we In New York aren't running for fear of
being left behind; we're being chased! Look a
little closer.
Nice to know that 1T Is wonderful that we
think about ourselves, even If only externally"
do make sure my nose Is not smudged when
he comes home for dinner, that there are no
stray tresses "just hanging" and also that the
paint is freshly applied However, in our mo-
ments of relaxation, which you insist we do not
have, We take scrupulous inventory OF the
graces which God has given to u.s. we are
aware that our thoughts and tongues, If they
are to serve as guides for our youngsters, must
be high and unsullied; we know that unselflsh-
ness has a mental as we'll as spiritual reward,
not to mention the cognizance of such by an
appreciative husband who too knows the salts
faction Of that word.
It would seem that Miss Bobich not only
does not familiarize herself with the American
female but also Is by no means an expert on
the American male. ALI whom know would
run mile and then some from the Sad
WHOSE Ud1u QclcAIoc dSd1AloI ally okl0 ILL
situations is tears Don't worry, we have our
april shower" moments, but they come when
the boudoir is all ours and only our favorite
saint and ourselves know why we cry. Ofttimes,
it's not because we're in pain, angry or joy
Gus, but because from time immemorial it's
been a "pck-me-up' for us gals who every
now and then "enjoy good cry" However,
If we enjoy it there's no reason to make things
unpleasant for any one else. I've been in labor
rooms where this self control" of which Miss
Bobich speaks so patronizingly would do your
heart good to observe. We American women
are not repressed, we are just reserved. Just
little farther above the screaming, unbridled
passions of the "other woman" to whom we're
being compared. In comparison, we're so much
more womanlike and less animal-like that
perchance the comparer's prejudices served
her in bad stead.
And If our "loss of the simple eternal secret
Of happiness for woman" because we do not
spiritually submit to man" has helped us
to find far greater happiness, comradery,
a respect and feeling of mental as well as
physical peace because of this "frigidity" then
we shall be truly wise if we continue to
freeze for the thawing is so very wonderful!
EDYTHE PAINTER.
Playground Debate Continued
70 the Editor OF The Star:
For the past few weeks many resolutions
from citizens associations and other local
bodies have been quoted in your paper as ia
x,orix,o foyorirp ove,