And What About the Modern Young Man?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 329, 14 April 1928, Page 24

And What About the Modern Young Man?

■EVER mind the modern girl; what about her brother? asks Maude Crossley in an English It is nearly time we called a halt on this solemn-visaged sermonising about “the modern girl.” She Jias her little faults and follies, I admit, but T think we had better give her a bit of a rest and turn our attention to the “modern young man.” First, take his demeanour. Have we met many modern young men who address their elders and parents respectfully. Have we met many modern young men who are tolerant of criticism or advice from a parent, an elder, an employer—or even the girl they profess to love? Blame the Man! Have we met many modern young men who are in earnest about anything save their own individual wellbeing? Then, take the habit of life of the modern young man. There has been a good deal of word spinning regarding the “moth-like” existence of the modern girl, her alleged passion for a hectic life, cabarets, night clubs, cocktails, the Charleston, and so on, her mad obsession for scorching about the country on pillions and in highpowered cars, her everlasting “silly preening” in pocket mirrors, and her frantic search for that “slim silohuette.” We seem to forget that, in order to gratify her passion for Charlestoning in cabarets and night clubs, the modern girl must have a dancing; partner—and a mere male always pays for the cocktails. We also overlook the fact that the modern girl would never dream of scorching about the country on a motor-cycle pillion unless a young man asked her to go. Vain as a Peacock As to the preening, how many modern young men pass a mirror or a good plate-glass shop window without snatching a carelessly careful glance at themselves? So we start off with the fact that ihe modern young man is as vain as a peacock. This brings us to his outward adorn- j

ENGLISHWOMAN, TIRED OF CRITICISM OF MISS UP-TO-DATE, HAS A TILT AT THE MALE “FLAPPER” . . . ing. To be neat and well-groomed is one thing.' To be effeminately natty is another. People are for ever raising shocked eyebrows over the modern girl’s wild extravagance regarding apricot stockings, waved shingles, dance frocks, and exotic lingerie. But what about the modern young man T What about his multitude of ties and “dinky” breast pocket handkerchiefs to match; his jazz sweaters and ■wrist watches and waisted suits and violent silk socks and pyjamas—and, in more than a few cases, his artificially waved locks? What about the junk heaps of delicate, unserviceable shoes that clutter up his bedroom? His Only Worry If all this money was expended on manly attire it would be bad enough. But the modern young man has reached such a high standard of effeminate nattiness that soon, I am afraid, he will look like a perfect lady. As regards his attitude toward the opposite sex, it seems to me that the modern young man has only one fear in life —that of being taken seriously. He has little chivalry for Woman as Woman. He cherishes no high-falutin’ ideals. The girl who “pays for dressing,” “dances like a streak.” and expects expensive enjoyment is the girl who attracts him m<?st. But as w’ith the modgrn girl, so with the modern young man, w r e must never forget that the faults and follies of to-day are the inevitable sequel to a childhood spent in the troublous days of the Great War. What chance did they have, these youngsters, amid the atmosphere of storm, the relaxed discipline of homes that might—who can tell —to-morrow cease to be? In the stress of the War, w’ith so much suffering going on at the front, there was, perhaps, a good deal of excuse for parents sparing the rod and spoiling the child. Fortunately the modern young man, “product of conditions for which, to a large extent, he is not himself responsible, does not represent the whole of the youth of to-day. But there are too many of him. and for a long time he has been allow’ed considerable immunity from censure.

We have been so busy with the modern girl that he has escaped. Now, however, it is his turn to be in the spotlight. Probably the result will be an improvement in him. He has already been wise enough to allow •himself to be laughed out of his ridiculous Oxford trousers. Only in isolated groups is he adopting Valentino side-whiskers and Valentino flatbrimmed hats. I feel sure there is hope for even the modern young man. As for the modern girl, she is not so black as she has been painted by othfers and not so highly-coloured as she has painted her face and lips. Haven't Missed Anything Those gloomy sermonisings about girls drinking cocktails are largely bosh. While some, perhaps, do so, the vast majority of girls have ndver put their lips to these useless and healthsapping mixtures. Millions of our girls have never been in a night club in their lives—and I can assure them they haven’t missed any real pleasure. No. as a class, the modern girl in Britain is sound at heart. So are thousands of the young men. Some of the latter are in need of censure and firm but kindly advice, but let us give the modern girl a bit of rest.