EMPTY CRADLES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 36, 5 November 1937, Page 4

EMPTY CRADLES

-Press Aeaociation.)

Lack of Home Training Responsible FIGHT FOR EQUALITY

(By Telesraph-

WELLINGTON, This Day. "Mothercraft ~r.3 been suggested as an alternative subjeet for matriculation," said Dr. M. B, M. Tweed, medical adviser to the Plunket Society, at its annual conference at Wellington yesterday. "Matriculation is being regarded with less and less approval every year. Why add more maohinery to a machine that is already showing signs of wear and ,tear, and possibly a bit or rust as well." , " One hundred years ago women fought for equality with men and demanded the right to sit for the same examinations, he said. They confused equality with iclentity, and this had led them to tlie prcsent system of education total* ly unfitting for Womanhood."The women demmded it and they got it. Now they can see where it-has led them. Empty ctadles and a distaste for housekeeping and motherhood; flats instead of homes; booka instead of babies. We blame our bright young things for their feverish desires and their immorrl outlook* What chance have they had? — a life spent in s«hool books from the age of five, and then grown up in * night like a mushroom; ohe momcnt a schoolgirl, the next a belle at a ball." She had no home training, Dr. Tweed continued, and no family life bekind her; nothing n which to balance herself. She had no knowledge of Iher body or its func'ions, and less care for either. "And then we wonder at tlie declining bitthr te and rising incidence of abortion. .e whole problem of education muet be ta*kled. Batching up an effete garment is not good enough." g