NEWS FOR WOMEN PROBLEMS WHICH FACE OLDER WOMEN WORKERS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28324, 9 July 1957, Page 2

NEWS FOR WOMEN PROBLEMS WHICH FACE OLDER WOMEN WORKERS

When a single woman retired from work she needed at least £ 8 a week, by 1957 standards, if she was to live in reasonable comfort. Interest from capital investments of £5200 could yield ; about £5 a week but for a working woman to save £5200 over a period of 35 years it would be necessary to put away nearly £3 a week for the future, said Miss C. E. Robinson last even- ; ing. She was speaking on problems of older women workers to members of the Christchurch : Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club. ‘‘lt would be impossible for a junior employee to save £3 , a week consistently, so from these calculations it would seem necessary to put away more than £5 a week during the second half of working life,” she said. Grim Outlook

‘‘Teachers and public servants with their superannuation schemes are fortunate—they are out of danger—but the average single woman who has to depend entirely on her own activities to ensure financial security after retirement has a hard time ahead of her,” Miss Robinson said. Widows or divorcees, who had no resources were in the same category as single women and had to face similar problems. She also discussed problems confronting a married woman who works. A woman could look forward to and plan for a longer life now. If she retired from her pob at 55, after 35 years’ service, she might live for another 30 years, she said. Many women who retired from a profession took up "another occupation for a few years to give themselves an interest and to augment their superannuation or incomes. Discontent The single woman, whose career was uninterrupted, usually found her greatest problem in later years was discontent with her work. “This discontent has effect in various ways, sometimes becoming insidious and difficult to overcome; often causing illnesses of neurotic origin,” said Miss Robinson. “It is important for an older woman in charge of a group of workers to be able to deal satisfactorily with younger employees as well as the older ones.”

An older woman who feels frustrated, perhaps because she has not married or because her work is unsatisfactory, can be very difficult to work for and she should try to see things from the point of view of the younger person. This is the kind of woman who is known to her juniors as “the nark” or “the boss.” Placidity was one of the greatest assets a woman could have if she was in a high position, dealing with others. A balanced personality was absolutely necessary. Home Responsibilities For a single woman earning her own living it was necessary to have a tranquil domestic background. As time passed it was ! likely that she would have the responsibility of aged parents, extra housework, cooking and general planning to do. “It is

very difficult for a woman to cope with all this on top of a day’s work, but it is something that must be worked out by the individual concerned,” she said. Satisfying work, with the possibility of promotion, responsibility and higher wages brought mental stimulation, a feeling of being useful in the community and of achievement, she said. But to reach this stage in a career it was necessary for a woman to have an adequate education for the job, vocational training and guidance, experience as well as intelligence, good health and a balanced personality.

Lack Felt Later

Discussing adequate education, Miss Robinson said that the hope of marriage too often tricked a woman into restricting her education. She did not take seriously her choice of or preparation for a vocation and found the lack difficult to make good if she had to work longer than she expected to or if she had to return to work after marriage. In such cases wide interests in outside work, such as social and youth work, home management, music, drama, sport, dancing or committee work were most valuable.

Well-equipped with leisure time interests, an older woman could often change her occupation with confidence if an opportunity came her way, Miss Robinson said.