MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

MEN.

FATHER-LOVER TYPES.

Br, EDNA GRAHAM MACKi.

This topic is interesting to all women and deserves some study from a psychological point of view, for, after all, the maintenance of the whole social structure depends upon a proper understanding between the sexes. If marriage is your vocation it is quite in order to know something about the attitude of mind and general characteristics of tho being with whom you have decided to spend your life. Jf, instead, you have ventured upon a business career, an art or a profession, there is still tho necessity to make allowances for the idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of tho masculine persuasibn, for when all is said and done, my sisters, it is a man's world.

Men, as a species, are divided into two types—the father type and the lover type, and there is found that rare combination of the two —the father-lover type. The father type is conservative, instinctively holding to the conventions for the protection of family life. Ho is a " good provider," though he docs not favour luxuries. He plans for the future and expects his wife to save as much lis she can out of tho housekeeping money. This typo is exceptionally reliable, and in the eyes of the world is considered a model- husband. His idea of pleasure is a treat for the family, his wife sharing equally with the children. Complete bliss to him is to s.it beside his own fireside with his children around him and his wife sitting on the sofa darning stockings, or pouring out tea in her leisure moments. His reading consists of tho newspaper and magazines. The lover type, on the other hand, lives for the moment.. He is impulsive and extravagant. He doesn't mind whether he has any children or not, his main idea 1 being to have a goddess to worship and adore. He is not conventional like the ether type, but in moments of exaltation "would daVe all for ldve's sake." He likes the gayer mode of life where he can show off his lovely prize. He is romantic and quixotic, though nit her unreliable. More selfish in some ways than the father type, but very indulgent to the particular object of his affection. His idlea of bliss is to- tread a graceful measure with his loved one, knowing that all eyes are gazing enviously in his direction. His taste in literature should run to Romeo and Juliet.

If you are.in doubt as to which class your husband belongs, just take note of the gifts ho brings you at Christmas and birthdays.

The father typo is sure to bring something useful —a pair of gloves or some woollen stockings, more often than not, something for the house, such as a teasefc or a rug for the dining room. Tho lover type will bring you a dozen cream roses when they aro most expensive, a ring, a brooch, or a bottlo of perfume. The contrast in types is strongly portrayed by a study of British and American men. Tho British men have the father instinct highly developed, while the American men verge on the romantic side. A delightful combination might be obtained by educating a British man in America or an American in England. An undiluted father type can become very stodgy and uninteresting, and the pure type can become very trying indeed, especially if he buys roses instead of paying the butcher!