SPANISH WOMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1929, Page 7

SPANISH WOMEN

NO I.OXGFR JU T “ PRECIOUS TOYS.” , (l’y Sill PKRCIVAL PHILLIPS.) :M A Pi’ l l), April 20. ('<no signTicanl. riuinilcstatioii of Hi* now modern spiril in Spain is t!i ojimncipnlion 'of wonion. They are in I'ligor eoikent to lo d mi idle, secluded liife. or to lie re'ardcd sis nothing in re tliiin n precious toy. The din lines due to their revolt against old conventions mid traditions are almost as remarkable as those which have been brought about by s’tnilnr progressive nio\cnionts in Turkey and China. The Spanish women of to-day enjoys an amount of freed mi wlrch the older generation regards with sheer horror. Her defiance of the professional chaperone, or ‘‘carbine.” 11s that domestic wat-hclog is called; her abandonment of the recognised code of deportment, dress, and recreation; her entrance into professional, commercial, and artistic callings on a basis of equality with flic limn have filled her elderly critics of both series with rage and despair. ***»#* .Madrid takes the load in this respect with Barcelona a dose second, but tlm revolt of the women is spreading to the provinces, where conservatism dies harder. 1

The Madrid young woman is bobbed, short-skirted, and facially adorned, like her sisters in other European countries. She can ta'lk of politics, art, education, and other matters with extreme fluency and conviction. She can look a lnero male squarely in the eye without blushing. Courtships are no longer conducted on two sides of a grill with moonlight overhead and a guitar as an ally. CTnt.il this revolution of the women began it was considered almost indecent for a young married girl of the middle or upper class to go into the streets alone. She bad to be uccomnnnied by the “ carbine,” who was usually an elderly spinster, possibly a former governess, and wlio was supposed to prevent clandestine flirtations. The “carbine” did not always do so, for the caronst lover was often able to break down the barrier by judicious negotiation of a practical nature.

Still, the “ carbine ” was there as the symbol of respectability. She can yet lie seen conducting her charge to a cinema or giving her a sedate promenade in the park, but she is n dying institution and will eventually vanish. Tim emancipated young woman goes ah-mt in the 20th centurv way to the darsnnts and other social functions, and no one, save the dieliards. thinks her nnv the worse for it.

Higher education lias been one epwonful influence for reform. Before 191(5 fliere were no records of women entered at the University of Madrid. Tn that year (50 female students were distributed among the faculties of philosophy, science, and pharmacy. Sixyears later the number had increased to 3fio. To-day there arc more than lb,ooo women students at the universities of Spain. I Before 1010 there were only throe women doctors in the country. Up to : 1917 110 women were enrolled in the medical department of the University of Madrid. Three entered in that year . and the number increased steadily until 1928, when there were 92. ;

Women have taken the place of men in many businesses. , The number of female clerks in Government and private offices is steadily increasing. Women writers are becoming more numerous. Sportswomen abound in every game, including winter sports. The first women’s Lyceum Club is a flourishing institution at a time when men’s clubs show signs of decadence. Owing to the suppression of gambling in the latter, their revenue has been materially diminished, and the consequent- raising of subscriptions has had a depressing effect on membership. The women’s Lyceum Club, on the other hand, is very prosperous. Its members include the first woman lawyer, writers sociological experts, musical composers, educators, and women in political life. General Prime do l.livera’s decision to admit women to the National Assembly was an important concession to the feminist movement. One of the first members chosen was the Alarquessn do la Rambhi, a clever old lady of seventy who had been interested all her life in political and social problems.

S..u was the first woman to speak in a Spanish Parliament. Spains first mayoress was Dona Dolores Codina, who was called to preside over the municipal affairs of Ta I ladoll, in the province of Loridn. She was given this post in 1924, when, owing to the ineptitude of the male inhabitants, she came into office. The Civil Governor found Hint sev>ral businesses 111 the village, which has fewer than (>.;O inhabitants, were mi by women, lie was so impressed y their c i eieney that lie included tiirce of lli.ni m the new muni ipa council. Dona Dolores lining one of the number.

The Xew Woman has her opponents in official as well as in private life, vine of them is the male Mayor of Ah m.-ndralojo, who constituted himself a censor of women’s dress and deportment. f-lis 111 n.cipal council declined to accept liis proposal to fine women who bobbed their hair or wore short or transparent dresses. There pon the mayor had recourse to diplomacy. He offered two prizes to ! e awarded to tile most charming girls of his town who maintained the old tradition of 1 ng hair and long skirls.

In old ci ios like Seville one still sees the mantilla and the high comb worn by women, but these characteristic symbols of tr.-ditioual dress have almost. completely disappeared ill Madrid. Only during Holy Week are they worn universally. The beautiful Manila mantle is still a conspicous feature at bull-fights and at big spectacular functions.

Bobbed hair is responsible for the disappearance of the high comb, as it cannot he kept in place without long hair. An attempt lias been made to overcome this difficulty by the use of a band comb worn around the bead, to which the comb is fastened, hut this makeshift arrangement does not appeal fo many modern women.

The old Spain is passing, but her women will lose none of their charm by the changes which have given them the freedom of the twentieth century.