Woman.

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6747, 4 January 1932, Page 2

Woman.

AT HOME—AND IN BUSINESS. Yesterday a woman's worth was her value as a housekeeper, a home-maker, a child-bearer. To-day her value is in her business ability, her brains and her efficiency Opinions will, differ as to the comparative desirability of tho woman to-day and yesterday. Wo shall find many who acclaim tho woman of tho home and we shall find others to applaud the brains of tho business woman. There will be much dispute on the question of whether woman was of more value yesterday than sho is to-day. Wo can uso tho war as the dividing line which separates woman as a homemaker from the woman of business, for it was the war which showed the commercial value of women. Women took over men's jobs, and their inherent adaptability provoked amazed comment from men

But afterwards, when war was over, wero women to forget their activities and return to the limited scope of homo life? Those who had homes were of necessity compelled to take this step, but girls and women who had no responsibilities insisted on keeping the interest of a wider life. The business woman had evolved, and men did not Tccogniso the danger of her worth. Only her employer encouraged her efficiency and capability. Tho number of business women has grown and grown. To-day most girls would rather work than have nothing definite to do. Business appeals to them much more than does the domestic sido of life. They are valuable to their employers,

for they work as well a 3 men on lower salaries.

Does tho value of women in business compensate for tho loss of their domestic worth? Yesterday a girl was brought up to expect marriage and a home of her own. To-day sho learus to earn her living. Yesterday, onee she was marie-d, her place was in her own home and then sho acted as housekeeper, hostess and mother. Sho was a wife and that occupation took most of her time. She was of definite value to he.r husband, although sometimes he did not realise her worth If she complained that life was dull it was only a mere whimper. She was always in the background as a solid foundation for tho home. If sho lost control, tho whole family suffered. Her responsibility was enormous. To-day, as a wife, she is a companion rather than a foundation Her housekeeping involves nothing of tho time and trouble of yesterday. As a hostess sho finds it easier to entertain away from her own home. As a mother she has half tho number of children and tho choice of innumerable methods of upbringing. Has emancipation cost mere than it has earned? It is possible that men will give a different reply from women to this question.