NOTES FOR WOMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22824, 7 March 1936, Page 27

NOTES FOR WOMEN

By PHIIXIDA,

PRETTY FIGURES Instead of the dry-as-dust " arms bend " exercises of our young days, the girls in the schools to-day are taught graceful dances and rhythmic movements (says an exchange). Naturally, they enjoy these, and, although they never realise it, they are building future health along the lines of _ grace and perfect posture, they are being given the right start, and we should see that they enjoy all the benefits, later in life. It is useless training for correct posture in youth and then neglecting it when we grow up and start to work at those very occupations which make correct posture so difficult. And until recently Dame Fashion has been against good posture, too. Now, however, fashon decrees a silhouette with feminine curves, and thus is leading us back to grace again. When first the straight frocks came into fashion most of us threw aside those bony and restrictive corsets which so long hampered our movements, and a generation has arisen which knows corsets hardly at all. Today, however, with increased knowledge of the importance of posture to health, there is a swing back to some form of "foundation garment" which will mould and keep our figures right. The restriction and ugliness of the old-time corsets have gone by the board and in their place is a beautiful garment made of material as delicate as lingerie, which fits like a glove but hampers us not at all. At what age should we start wearing these foundations?

Just as there is medical opinion which believes in proper training in posture in childhood, so there is a growing weight of opinion that the mojjern foundation garment is needed for health, and that it should be worn from the age of 16 onwards. We can be obstinate, we can refuse to wear them, but in the long run, these doctors say, our figures will suffer - —and possibly our health. Actually the foundations that are suitable for young girls are so dainty, so light and so free and easy that they love to wear them.

* The bogey is sometimes (raised that the wearing of any controlling garment is "unnatural." but when we look around we see that nearly everything we do in this life is unnatural. Sitting at an office desk all day, or standing behind a shop counter, are not the occupations of the " natural" women of uncivilised countries. And in any case are these so-called "natural" women to be our ideal of beauty? Let us hope not. Most women of savage races are conspicuous for their Begging breasts and protruding abdomens. Foundations to-day are made in keeping with medical knowledge and provide gentle support and moulding. If our young girls have good figures now, we want to keep them so; if their figures are not good, we can gradually improve them. By starting early in life with correct foundations, we are building soundly for the future and giving ourselves the opportunity of still having a youthful figure when we reach middle age. Many medical men who are dissatisfied with the posture of modern girls consider that 16 is the ideal age at which to commence with the foundation garment. If they are to conform with the dictates of 1936 fashions, they will all have to wear them (if only for smartness), and the sooner our young people start the better. DON'T BE AN INDIFFERENT MOTHER It's strange how some mothers have such delightful children and are so indifferent to them. I don't mean that they neglect their material needs. No, they feed, clothe, and educate them well. But as far as their real lives are concerned they simply don't appear to be interested. One mother I know of had three of the nicest children that one could wish for. They used to come home from school brimming over with news and ideas and comments. They would bring their chatter to her and all she'd say would be, " Yes, dear," or " Fancy that, Jimmie." or " Ten for arithmetic? I'm sure that's very good." No real interest, you see, and yet she complained bitterly when those children reached the age of about 14, saying, " They never stay at home a minute nowadays; they tell me nothing. No one would think I was their mother." Of course they went out a lot. Of course they were not inclined to be talkative with her. She's driven them to that state herself by her total lack of any genuine enthusiasm. After all, it isn't so very hard to appear interested in your children's affairs, is it? If they want to tell you bow the tennis match went off then let them and join in with the discussion yourself. Exchange views and give your opinion on these things which are so vital to them.

Honestly, it's •worth while finding out some things for yourself ho that you Know what the children are talking about. They'll think an awful lot of you if you know the positions of a team on the cricket field and what such terms as " lbw" mean. That sounds silly, I know, but isn't really. They'll be as proud as anything of you, and isn't that rather nice?

Nobody who is really interested in her children need fear that she is " losing" part of them because they talk so much of other people and things. It's a natural stage that they all go through. Be content that they are so willing to tell you almost everything they do. You lose nothing by being interested; instead you get the very best out of your sons and daughters. It's the indifferent mother who suffers that sense of loss in later years.

For perhaps you won't have a chance of realising what your interest—or lack of it —has done until the children are getting quite grown up. That's when the mother who has taken a little trouble and interest scores. Because it's a test of a good motherhood, I think, as to whether they come to you then with the bigger problems and set-backs that they come up against when they go out more into the v\orld.

If you've always been an attentive listener they will bring their difficulties to you quite naturally and readily, as they've been so used to doing all their lives. And they will know that you will use your sympathy and tact to help and advise and encourage them. There would be very few " lonely old neople" if, when they themselves were still young, they had taken a little trouble (o make friends with the generation that was to come next. Youth is sensitive. It fears both settlement and ridicule, and it is only a complete friendly naturalness that will win the children's confidence. Perhaps you are one of those people who put respect before love; if you are, think again—can you have sincere respect unless understanding and sympathy go with it? —Glasgow Herald. "MARRIAGE-WORTHINESS" A GERMAN WAY As though the married state were not sufficiently risky, the Germans have invented an awful new word, "Marriageworthiness," says the Sunday Times. To qualify for this candidates must answer examination papers, bearing at the top photographs of the prospective bride and bridegroom, which, if they at all resemble the official passport variety, would provide ample cause for separation. Love is said to be blind, but how can it continue in that blissful state when the loving pair are forced to set down details of bone construction, disposition of fat, and type of face? What shattering dialogues will ensue! Edwin: Darling, have you given the details of your spiritual development? Angelina: Yes, I've done that bit, but I'm not sure about my possible criminal tendencies or the circumference of my head and chest. "What stature is she of?" asked Jaques of Orlando, and was told " Just as hjgh as my heart." But the young Nazi who tried such pretty answers would soon find himself disqualified for "mar-liage-ivorthiness/'