IS MODERN WOMAN A FAILURE?

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8813, 15 May 1907, Page 4

IS MODERN WOMAN A FAILURE?

A woman may have manners and no mind, or mind and no manners; but; the complete woman will have both.” This remark was made by Mrs Bontwood at the Women’s Institute at Loudon lately, in the course of an address on the subject of “Is the modern woman a failure. ” ‘‘The epithet ‘modern woman’, is applied as a term of opprobrium,” said Mrs Bontwood. ‘ ‘ There is no reason why it should be, except the Anglo-Saxon’s antipathy to adapt himself to changes, and because it is easier for him to ‘label’ than to comprehend. ‘ 1 The modern woman is not something new and monstrous. She is like Eve, oulv seen under modern conditions. Women will become living realities, instead of pale, disort id reflections.

“Man’s objection to the modern woman is quite easy to understand and appreciate. He dreads the unknown. “For centuries woman has been the t slave, and man now suddenly sees the race he has so greatly wronged lot loose on society. The clock cannot be put back. Women will go far, but it will be upwards. The objection and dislike of men are really a touching flattery. ‘‘Man needs to the full the sympathy and sacrifice of women, and he dreads to lose it. ‘‘But it is clear that man’s ideals are changed, and that he is seeking the ideal woman.

“A true woman, imbued with the modern spirit, can do exactly as she likes, because she will never do anything in bad taste. ‘ ‘ Man may consider modern women a 1 * failure, but we are not crushed by that because one day man will understand and become our ardent supporters.