"IT FIZZLED OUT”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 April 1934, Page 3

"IT FIZZLED OUT”

STORIES OF BROKEN ROMANCES LONDON, 6th April. Fifty-nine broken engagements were announced in 1933—almost twice as many as in 1932, says the special representative of the “Daily Express.” The reasons have been: “It fizzled out,” “We felt a growing coldness,” “Wo made a mistake.” ft is nearly always added: “We are still the best of friends.”

Wljat is the mentality behind broken engagements? Why are they increasing? These were two questii.is I put to Dr. W. Stephenson, of the department of psychology, University College. T.ondon. “For one thing,'' lie replied, ‘ men no longer have the Vic", man sense of honour. They are much more free minded. I should like to have just 10 couples who have broken off their engagements as 1 should like to analyse them. It would lie an interesting human problem. “Fifty years ago a man would not have (hired to bleak off an engagement. It always came from the woman, and it was a serious thing. Now a man. does not feel lliat an engagement ties him. Unconsciously, too, lie desires more than a girl who is sweet, fresh and who lias simplicity' of eharaeter. We live in a more complicated age Perhaps the man seeks a woman of .soldier temperament lo he his wife. “Men and women to-day live far more by emotional impulse than by precept and axiom. ’Hut in the first place I think young men become engaged almost without lealising it. They make promises lilidiw the impetus of their emotions which they regret when the relationship has crystallised.”