Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1901 — The Problem of the Girls. [ARTICLE]

The Problem of the Girls.

Present Industrial and social conditions invite muoh sariofet thought on

the Question of what a young girl shall do “to win success.” Formerly ft was the boy that occupied the attention and study of moralists and teachers. But the girl problem—not the one in the kitchen—is looming up as one of the most important questions of the times and threatens to completely overshadow the discussion of what to do with the boys. It is interesting to note the opinions of some of the brightest women upon this question as disclosed in a recent symposium. “No matter how wrapped up a girl may be in her ambitions, let her by all means marry anyway,” says Dr. Julia Holmes Smith. Mrs. Le Grand W. Perce declares she is unable to “see how a young woman can consistently give her life to a husband and to a business at the same time.”

Mrs. Matilda B. Carse declares that a girl “cannot succeed in business while married.” Mrs. Lucy Page Gaston say that “girls should make their choice between the home life and the active business or professional life.” It is very clear from all this expert opinion that it is the plain duty of girls to get married. At least they cannot hope to manage a husband and a business successfully at the same time. Matrimony and business are incompatible. There must be a choice between the store or the office and the home. The present lady mayoress of London is quite young and girlish looking, with a wealth of soft fair hair. Her verse is among the best written by women for the contemporary English magazines.