Characteristics of the Modern Woman.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 13, 28 September 1907, Page 31

Characteristics of the Modern Woman.

The change which has come over woman during the last few decades is the subject of an article by Sydney Marell in the “New Album of Modes.” The soft low voice, the gentle manner, the pretty shyness, the graceful method of movement which charmed ‘.he sterner sex in former times are seldom to be met with in these days; yet, says the writer, women have gained little by the new style, the transition stag- through which the modern woman is passing. Men still adhere to the old ideal of womanly charm. The modern woman, with her c mntless opportunities for educating herself in ways orthodox and unorthodox, has developed a curious personality, of which neither the man, nor, indeed, the worn in herself, is quite sure. The modern woman is, in a word, unwomanly, because she is selfish. Greedy for money, for position, for ease, she is ever “on the make” in one of these three directions. If she be a worker, she is not sure .that she has attained the summit of earthly bliss until she . marries. Once married, she does not like the prospect of losing the loaves and fishes of her maiden -efforts, and insists on .carrying on her money making campaign, to the discomfiture of those engaged in the same pursuit who have no husbands to help keep the wolf from the door. Then comes in all the tragedy of the selfish life —the childless home run by servants, if they are to be had; the ceaseless attempts to outvie someone richer or smarter than herself; the unequil strain of a body and mind, kept on th? rack; and, last of all, the inevitable breakdown, too often bankruptcy, or the tedium of a prolonged and expensive' rest cure! On the question of womanly grace Sydney March says:—All other nations are supposed to have prettier movements than our country women. To a certain extent, I suppose,, this is true. In England. when once women did get a chance of outdoor life, they threw themselves into the novel opening with that passion for fresh air sports which is so characteristic of their man folk. The result has been that the country bred girl inclines to be athletic and sporting rather than graceful in physique. And the strong “outdoor” woman is more attractive from the point of view of robust health and vigour than from any other. In towns, where the bulk of women live, we hive lost ground, on the contrary, because we take so little exercise of any kind. The average town, bred girl is not foncl of exercise for its own sake, ahd a potter round the shops cr a violent bout of dancing or tennis are 'he best approach she has to that constant motion which is necessary for grace.