WOMEN WHO SHIRK THEIR JOB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17188, 3 November 1923, Page 9 (Supplement)

WOMEN WHO SHIRK THEIR JOB.

(Bv

ANNA BLOUNT.

A growing distaste among girls for i all kinds of household duties is one of tlje signs of our time. A few weeks ago, when a number oi young women were gathered toaether at the house of a very “ mod- j ern ” woman, I heard an illuminating discussion upon this topic. Nearly j all of the girls were engaged to be j married, and with two exceptions they j confessed that thev had only the scantiest practical knowledge of housekeeping. A domesticated girl, who had the audacity to declare that she j liked housework, was reproved sharply I by her companions. “ You will grow out of vour old- 1 fashioned ideas,” said the hostess. j This revolt against the ancient anti J historic industry of woman has grown I with the feminine “emancipation j movement ” and the entrance ot women into the professions and commercial life. Tt began as a reaction against the tradition that the only occupations for women were the strictly domestic—cooking, needlework, and the tending of children. In the old

1 days there was much nonsense talked about “ woman's proper .sphere.” and tar too much insistence upon the view j that women were only capable of household management. ■ But the reaction against domestic paratively few girls nowadays pride j themselves upon their skill as house : wives. The true helpmate, in the : domesticated sense, is becoming scarce, I and it is a common complaint that paid domestic assistants are difficult to find. To put the case plainly. J there is a widespread tendency among j the young women of to-day to shirk j one of their highest and most impor--1 For the majority of people marriage i.- - a matter of co-operation in the | necessary labour of daily life. The 1 tired of the incessant round of office tasks.” .He may experience monoi tony and weariness : but bo realises j that his chief duty is provision for the family, and he represses his recurrent sense of distaste for work. The contribution of women to the world’s work is principally domestic. From the dawn of civilisation the woman has been the home-maker and tiie keeper of the house. This division of male and female labour may

be regarded as natural. The domestic arts are the source of invention, and it is to the genius and industry of primitive women that we owe many of the finest achievements in culture. We need a revival in esteem for the capable housewife. She is absolutely indispensable, and her work is the most important of the imperative aud unavoidable daily tasks. —‘* Daily Mail.”