Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-10
Modern
Marriage
Scale for Girls
Who Remain
Just Pals
By D.. Paul Popenoe

That class Of women who
seem never to attract proposals
OF marriage is comprised of
number Of types. Among them is
the overly-aggressive girl: also
the girl who seems to have all
the familiar attributes of the old
maid land keeps them even if
she does get husband); and the
kind whom men adore as a pal,
or sister," but wouldn't think
OF marrying. There are numer-
GUS others.
Susan puts herself among the
pal" girls. the kind men are
always treating like beloved sis
tiers but never like a woman with
whom they desire to mate. Men
like her, keep asking for more
dates-but seek brides elsewhere.
I'm getting doggoned tired of
this brother-and-Sister act" she
writes me. why do you sup
pose so many fellows are glad
to date me. but not to marry
me, DR.. Popenoe? What does a
girl have to do to graduate from
the pal class into the bride
class?"
Since I haven't met you,
Susan, can't very we'll tell you
what is wrong in your particular
case. but / assure you there are
hundreds of thousands of wom-
en- with the same problem. In
each case, something seems to
be lacking in the personality. a
something that subtly suggests
femininity and promises those
things a man wants in a mate.
1t has nothing to do with willy
tricks Of speech and manner;
rather, 1t is something that a
woman acquires only as a sort
Of radiation from a fully femi-
nine character and personality.
So important is the matter
that a special study is being
made Of it at the American In
stltute Of Family Relations. We
know for certain that some Of
these unhappy girls simply
aren't womanly enough. To
them and to you recommend
the careful reading of my book
let, This Way to Marriage"
which includes a Self-rating
scale, How Womanly Are You?"
The booklet will be sent to any
reader who encloses a stamped,
Self-addressed envelope and a
dime.
But let's try to answer your
question today from a broader
point of view. Evidently you are
a very likeable girl, Susan, but
not a very lovable girl. Give
yourself a rating on this scale:
How LOvable Are You?
l. I really like men and have
no prejudices or fears concern
ing them. ola
2. I have had many friendships
with women as we'll as men, O ! 2
3. am free from obsession by
romantic day-dreams and ideals
which no man could live up to.
Oh
4. I am reasonably spontaneous
and uninhibited in dealing with
other people. ola
5. am within 10 pounds (be-
low or above) Of average weight
for my age and height. Ola
6. I am well informed about
sex. Ola
4. The thought of the physi-
cal relationship In marriage Is
beautiful to me. not unpleasant.
Oh
8. My love involves, in my
heart, the idea of giving rather
than of merely receiving or TAX
ing. Oh
9. am prepared to have my
husband keep his own friends.
occupations. and interests in
stead of being over-possessive
toward him. Oh
10. The idea of having chill
dren by the man I love is deeply
attractive to me. 0 2
In scoring, allow yourself 0
for mot at all, never; l for IAN
amount" and 2 for "en-
tirely, always" The nearer you
can come to a perfect score of
20, the more likely it is that you
are really lovable. If you have
some low scores, they will be
good indications Of the points
at which you need to improve
your personality. Go to work;
and good luck to you, Susan.