DOMESTICATING THE DAUGHTER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 578, 5 August 1909, Page 3

DOMESTICATING THE DAUGHTER.

Says a Melbourne paper:—The idea of teaching making is appealing .with, much force to many teachers. It has been appealing silently, out insistently, for years. The teachers, both in- public and in .private schools, are hardly to blame, ! because they had to ! follow a conventional road' in the matter of education. There are still thousands of parents who have their daughters taught painting and music, because. tneso arts are "ladylike," and who think the girl with a smattering of French far smarter than , the girl who can. mako her own dresses, and cook, the family dinner. There is much prejudico to be overcome at home before domestic economy in schools is honoured as it ought' to be. The most important missionaries in this •respect'are the girls who have.■ already been trained. .;In.flno„horne,.jyhere_the fainily..niiinbors seven';: the"'eldest...girl, a State] school trainee,'is mistress ,in'a quite delightful kitchen. - She-doe* aH-JJieu-c'rioking, - ; and-"dbesi it well. "Sn'e-K ifi" , H6 !- lenfe;a' d'rttil'g'el "Hiitflivcs a comfortable'normal life'. Her mother's hands .are fullv: occupied with sewing and house work, l'he girl in question is now, forfnn-.. ately for us all, only ono among many. Ilia biggest, argument,in. favour of what domestic training as' our girls "have already had is that they really'enjoy-and, take-pride in their work. In most the household -expenditure: is tr.usted to them.i.and this, developing as it does the administiativo instinct, makes responsible and dependable . individuals .of them. Such'girls, given a reasonable allowance for dress and personal expenses, are far better, off, financially and otherwise/ than tho large-majority of girls who take up outside employment whilo a servant is paid to do the work at home.