Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1887 — Woman Versus Man. [ARTICLE]

Woman Versus Man.

“There is a growing tendency nowadays for women to unsex thomscdves—that is, to crowd into occupations which have up to late years been oc- < upied exclusively by man. If women usurp occupations originally intended for the other sex, what about the men who are thrown out? for it is very certain there is not room for both.” This is a fallacious popular idea. The question is misundorstood; women have not become manly, but men have become effeminate. In consequence of all their time-immemorial employments having been gradually taken from them, women in this, nineteenth century are absolutely driven to seek some outlet for their energies, or necessities, in now lines of work. The change has been so silent and unperceived that it is doubtful if it is generally known, and certainly was never planned purposely to injure women; rather the reverse, it was intended that they should be benefited thereby. While from the alterations in our social system all household and essential women’s trades are carried on by men, women have received as a substitute a few ill-paid clerkships, and precarious employments, such as art needlework or china painting, which are now offered to them as their true vocation. —National Review.