DO MODERN GIRLS 'HAVE TOO MUCH FREEDOM?

Patea Mail, Volume LIII, 26 March 1934, Page 4

DO MODERN GIRLS 'HAVE TOO MUCH FREEDOM?

When the readers of -‘The New Idea,’ the threepenny weekly paper for women, were asked to write their opinion on whether the modern gin had too much freedom, some very interesting viewpoints were revealed. The cash prize of 10s was awarded to the following entry: NOl Dear Editor, —Speaking generally, 1 should say the modern girl has not too much freedom, for in the vast majority of cases, she is using it wisely and well. We hear far too much about the foolish young people of our time. A girl in a crinoline found no difficulty in'shaking a loose leg if she wished, ami there have always been persons, both old and young, who were flippant and superficial. We still have our share of the silly, but the larger part of the new generation is thoughtful and serious.

A girl of sense cun take care of herself equally as well at 2 a.m. as at 2 p.m., ami wo must tulmiro the modern girl for Urn very adequate way in which she is doing this. Much of the talk about her excessive smoking and drinking is a gross exaggeration. She refrains from continued indulgence if from no higher motive than to preserve her business eJliciency. She is too shrewd to imperil her already .‘-udieienlly precarious “job. ’’ Wc must remember that the tight rein is always the. first to snap. Parents can no longer say “thou shalt’' or “thou shalt not.” To preach or scold is worse than useless. What (hey—-the parents —can do is, to insinuate a little gentle guidance, -which, in many eases, the young people will su bc ons c i oausl v folio w.

Prudery, however, is doomed never to return, any more than (he coach or (he bark humpy. And that will be one of the triumphs of the L’Oth century! ‘The New Idea’ regularly conducts letter contests with a prize of IDs for (lie best entry. Why not have a try yourself? In -nny case, ‘The New Idea’ will please you, as it contains everything dear to a woman’s heart — short stories, fashions, an enclosed pattern a serial, ami many articles and departments. On safe now at all newsagents, 3d.