Women’s New-Found Freedom

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 18

Women’s New-Found Freedom

Relieves Men of Many Responsibilities

HVy — Sit possible that man is 7 /fJT profiting more than ffcpp woman is from her [L-/, social and econor#c WwK/ emancipation? Or, more disturbing still, is woman ever profiting by her freedom? During the last two decades she must have been basking in an illusionary freedom, for what she is now beginning to feel is that she has assumed more burdens than her feminine predecessors had, while man. on the other hand, seems to be correspondingly relieved of numerous responsibilities. She is also somewhat sceptical of those who claim that woman today is ruling the world and is taming, regulating and disciplining man to do what is agreeable and pleasing to her. On the contrary, she believes, more firmly than ever, that this is a civilisation made by man for man. and that the world revolves very much as he wants it to. Any attempt on her part to improve this state of affairs i will not only find the odds stacked against her, but perhaps, unwittingly, j she may give man even greater lee- ! way than ever. As it is, she feels ' ghs has spoiled him to such an extent that he has less regard for his moral and domestic obligations than had the Adams of any other generation. Naturally it would be interesting to know how man feels about this. Does he concur with woman in the opinion that he has gained more than she has? That, in fact, he is “getting away” with advantages to which he has no right? To obtain a fair and unbiased point of view, one that reaches deeper than the surface, Dr. Harry Elmer Barnes was approached. He is well known as a sociologist, historian and educator, and his books have commanded great attention and have given new impetus to liberal thought. Since the question under consideration is one which has long interested Dr. Barnes, his reply was quick and to the point:— “I do not see that woman’s emancipation has relieved man of any fundamental social responsibility,” ae said. “We cannot get away from the fact that we must maintain the family circle. The latter is as indispensable as ever. There are definite benefits which the individual and society in general derive from the family, but, in order to obtain them, it is necessary for man himself to make contributions to it. That woman, because of her own ability to earn, has eased his burden there can be no doubt. But that man is disregarding his responsi bilities while woman carries the load is somewhat far-fetched.” “First of all, the number of married women whom necessity forces to assume half of the financial obligations of the house, in addition to taking care of the domestic ones is very small. The average wife who works today does so because she wants to live on a better scale; because she wants a maid, a car and other luxuries which her husband cannot afford to give her. She prefers to have her own bank account and not have to rely on her

Are Men Becoming Spoiled in Consequence?

husband for every penny. If, perchance, her married life does not run smoothly, she can at any time tell her husband that if he does not like ■what she is doing he can leave. For the privilege and the pleasure of being able to say this, she is willing, I am sure, to forego almost all of her ancient rights. ‘‘Barring unusual circumstances, the woman could well get along on her husband’s wnlary if she wanted to. In many cases the woman claims that she has to work not for luxuries, but just to be able to afford children. However, what so frequently happens is that she keeps postponing the day, meanwhile accustoming herself to the advantages that the combined income gives, until finally she no longer has the desire for children or she finds that she cannot have them at all. “While I think it is a splendid thing for a woman to continue her work softer marriage, yet, in general, she should only do so after she has had and reared children. No matter how modest the income of the husband may be —and that never has been nor should be an obstacle —the family life should be based on the desire for children. Otherwise, why marry? “But consider the woman where circumstances make it imperative for her to be a breadwinner as well as a wife and mother. Is she assuming more responsibilities than the man? Or more responsibilities than women of other days had? On the surface it would seem so, but in reality her twofold role is far lighter than the work which any house-wife of yesterday had. Hers was drudgery. The old-fashioned household, devoid of conveniences of any kind, meant literal slavery for the woman. It took all of

her effort, from early morn to lar. night, to cook the meals and tow the house clean—in other merely to exist. Aliy kind of w o rkt,' an office or factory is much to be rn-” : ferred to that sort of drudgery i sapped a woman’s energy and bJ; her old before her time. she»» too tired and worn to give the w of herself to her children or hT band. “Today, even if working in the biui. ness world does no; penult her to L free of household tasks, how much d, they amount to when there ere innair.’ erabla inventions and conveniences to aid her? And any man of character whose wife helps him to discharge falfinancial obligations should also do Ms share in the home. “Of course, when it comes to spineless men who are only too ready to take advantage of the modern woniir s economic and social freedom, that is a different matter. Such men, who are nothing more or less than loafers atf parasites, will naturally profit a great deal from women's independence. Bat a discussion of this kind cannot be confined to exceptions. “Generally speaking, men not only are taking care of but emphatically want to take care of their economic responsibilities. The average mar has a more difficult burden than tbt woman in this respect, since it Is usually essential for him to do the actual supporting of the fe.mily. He is not working for luxuries, bnt for the necessities of life—for food, shelter and clothing. There is no small strata attached to this, especially when one considers that most men are still loath to think of establishing a family unless they are reasonably sure they cantata care of it.”