THE MAN OF "TO-DAY."

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1641, 14 May 1925, Page 3

THE MAN OF "TO-DAY."

(A.L.8., in the Weekly Scotsman.)

.Much has been said of the girl of to-day, her changed outlook and attitude towards man, dress, and t'lfe world in general; she has been compared to the girl of the Victorian era. Well! She is different; but, after all, merely in the sense that she has adapted herself to the needs and requirements of present-day 'man, for it is man that has changed; therefore woman now, as from time immemorial, endeavours to a.ppear what he expects and wishes her to he. >

The man of " to-day " leads an outdoor life. Sports of all kinds loom on his horizon, more so than ever. Motors are his toys. Scout camps and jamborees are becoming an every-day affair. Big-game shooting expeditions even are more familiarly entertained. Golf alone claims thousands of devotees. Large is the number who trek each season towards Switzerland or Norway for the fun of ski-ing. Compare .this life to that of the gay, bewhiskered youth who danced attendance on the maiden of the early -eighties. Fine fellows they were, too, •but with a different viewpoint.. The girl of that period was also splendid, but she again adapted herself to what was expected of her. Very dainty in her outlook on l'ife, rather easily upset perhaps, more or less satisfied, certainly to her credit domesticated. Well, that is what the gallants of that period desired of their womenfolk, and they obtained it.

But how ridiculous are wasp waists, sunshades, and samplers to the young (man of "to-day," striding along in tweed and golf kit. What he requires is a girl chum to keep step beside him, loose-waisted and trim in tweed skirt, and gaily-knit jumper, probahly also a sensible pair of brogues, in case there is some climbing to do. Powder! Yes! But no man really admires a shiny nose nowadays. A football match also 'intrigues the modern girl, but again it is a case of needs must, if she in turn wishes to interest the man who plays, or the enthusiastic onlooker.

Yes! Man after all is responsible to a very great extent for the change in woman. He demands more of her. A girl wise in household ways alone will not satisfy him. His is a broader outlook than in the past, and he expects the same of her, or looks for it elsewhere. The modern girl has realised this, and ambushed accordingly. lam not referring to the bach-elor-woman, to whom a career alone means everything. She has justified her position.

Fundamentally, however, the girl of to-day is the same at heart. The desire for love, marriage, and children is all there, however contrary the surface may appear, and always will be. Though the modern man is also a stranger in outward ways, to the ■polished 'youth of the eighteenth cenitury, his aspirations for home and country are as clean aind desirable as ever. And, after all, "Old Thing," though it hurts a little to unaccustomed ears, is no doubt just as sincere amd well meant as the "M|y Dear" of married life we are all so familiar with.