Germany Provides Schools for Brides

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 183, 5 August 1938, Page 4

Germany Provides Schools for Brides

A VALUABLE TRAINING As far back as November, 1936, it was decided in Germany that all girls and young women who were engaged to marry members of tho Schutz-Staffel —popularly known in foreign countries as “Storm Troopers" and xocally a* the “SS"—should be required to take an examination in the housewifery arts previous to marriage, states a writer in the Sydney Morning Herald. Unless they could demonstrate their ability to cook, sew, look after an infant and generally attend to all household duties it was necessary for them to receive instruction in such subjects until they wero proficient before the marriage could take place. In tho beginning, those whom this decision affected attended lecture courses at one or other of the many Reich mothers' schools, situated throughout the provinces. Tho courses embraced all subjects that it was necessary to learn, but many of the girls were engaged in daily occupations and could not attend more than the evening lectures, which would necessitate the period of training being spread over, more weeks than were actually required. It was felt that the best plan would bo to establish, in the capital city, a special school for these brides-to-be, where they could live for the whole period of a short, intensive course, and later on when finances permitted establish similar schools elsewhere in Germany. Consequently, a location was selected on the outskirts of Berlin, a house obtained and, after months of preparation, it was opened at the end of April as the first “Brauteschnlc" in the Reich. A fortnight later a similar school was opened at Tuebingen, in the province of Wurterobcrg-Hohenzollern, and it will not be very long before the third takes shape in another district, so great is the demand on the part of the girls and young women who wish to receive this training. An Ideal Setting I visited Germany's first school for brides late in March, when it was nearing completion but still in tho hands cf tho painters and decorators. Not, unfortunately, as a prospective candidate for admission, for I straightway fell in love with the house and its surroundings. It lies on the island Schwanenwerder, in Lake Wannsee, one of the loveliest parts of outer Berlin and one of tho wealthiest residential districts in the capital. Eeichsminister Dr. Goebbels has a house in the same district. It is far enough from the city to be restful and quiet, with almost country air, while the blue waters of the lake and the surrounding leafy woods add greatly to its charm. Accompanied by Fraulein Kinnsse, the youthful leader of the press department of tho German Women's Organisation, I wandered through the comfortable, well-equipped rooms of tho

two-storied spacious house, set in a big garden. Broad lawns, criss-crossed

by neat gravel paths, alternated with beds of fragrant flowers. A special section is reserved for tho girls to learn the art of growing vegetables, and herbs, and later in the kitchen they will be taught the most practical and economical uses for each variety.

Everything in the house has been so arranged that it can serve as an example to the girls in the planning of their own homes. There is, for instance,

a section consisting of two rooms and a kitchen, which has been furnished and equipped at a cost of 800 reichsmarks (about £BO Australian), this representing a little less than the amount of the marriage loan (ono thousand marks—£loo Australian), which every girl is entitled to receive from the State.

Tho course at tho Brides' School lasts six weeks, and costs 310 reichsmarks (£6 Australian), which includes everything, board and lodging, instruction, amusements, and all items incidental to the course. If a gir! is not herself in a position to pay the feo for tho course, and yzt desires to take it( it is not solely reserved for fiancees of members of tho S.S., though preference is given to them and to girls engaged to members of the army and of the S.A.), she may obtain an advance of 100 marks on her prospective marriage loan. There is no compulsion about attending the Brides' School, since nobody forces a girl to engage herself to an S.S. officer. However, to put it colloquially, being a picked body of men, thoy are a “good catch." But most girls in Germany realise to-day that to ’>e well-trained in all womanly occupations is a decided advantage, and the waiting list for Schwanenwerder is overwhelming! ..All housewifely problems will bo dealt with in tho various lectures given by a staff specially trained for tho task.