THE MODERN YOUNG WOMAN.

Evening Star, Issue 19775, 27 January 1928, Page 8

THE MODERN YOUNG WOMAN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lf 1 thought the present'social and economic state of affairs was the result of women occupying a place in industrv, then I would willingly advocate a “back to the home” campaign; but, instead of blaming the modern girl for the state of society as it exists To-day, we would bo on safer lines were wo to blame our present social system for creating the modern young woman. Evidently society must have a scapegoat to take the blame for its ills and afflictions, Mid the modern young woman is the culprit in this age. it eases our minds to blame others lor the mistakes that usually lie at our own doors. “A.A.H.” is quite convinced that the girl’s place is in the home doing domestic duties, and lilts up a prayer of thankfulness that not many mothers think as I do. Well, I am glad, too, that 1 do not think as the average woman does if her mind is not to soar above a frying pan and a duster; hut “A.A.H.” would be surprised to know just how many women think on similar lines to mine. He then asks: Where would New Zealand be if all mothers pushed their daughters into offices, workshops, and factories, swamping out the billets of men,” and laments the fact that the birthjxite will suffer because the girls will noirgive up their jobs and let the men marry them. Fancy worrying over the declining birthrate in these hard times! If Aye could have the happy state of affairs in the home, of man being the breadAvinner and woman the home-builder, without the submerging of the finest qualities in woman to a state of domestic drudge, I should be Avith “A.A.H.,” but the Avar gaA’o woman the opportunity of economic freedom and a chance to display her capabilities in different spheres, so it is not likely she is going to be as silly ns the goose Avas when the farmer called “Goosey, goosey, come and be killed ”; or, in other words, go back to that state of subjection she held before the Avar. If things cannot so on much longer in the present state, as your correspondent affirms, and if man does not get his rights and jobs back (just Avhat they are I should like to be informed) and if there is a danger of the girl slipping into decadence if she refuses to do domestic work, then all I can say is, as there is no shortage of marriageable males in New Zealand, that is up to them.—l am, etc., Mother or Six. January 26.