UNHAPPY GIRLS.

Mataura Ensign, 26 December 1913, Page 5

UNHAPPY GIRLS.

Too. little work ti occupy their hearts and hands, and the idea that the main object in life is to "make a good marriage," were the two reasons given by Dr Elizabeth Sloan Chesses, lecturing on the "Health and Development of Girls" at the Institute of Hygiene, London, for the unhappiness of so many young girls at the present time. "The 'difficult' girl, who objects to maternal authority and is consequently apt to be looked upon as the black sheep of the family, needs some outlet for energies and a real interest in life, said Dr Chesser. "T!he 'lazy' girl, whose mother gets exasperated witih her because she. takes no interest in anything, is very often suffering from anaemia, and needs treatment, not scoldings." For hockey, as played at school by girls just budding into womanhood, Dr Chesser had no good word. She saad that strenuous games were more suitable for younger girls. Schoolgirls of to' 15 could compete successfully in the playing-field with girl students a few years older, the reason being that the older girl has less muscular energy, her energy being utilised for development. Dancing, which, with fencing, Dr Chesser finds infinitely preferable to hockey or football for girls, provides pleasurable exercise without fatigue, and at the same time makes for grace and beauty.