ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE FOR WOMEN

Fifteen years ago few women entered business or professional lives from choice. The woman who had no husband, father, or brother to support her was considered unfortunate. Woman’s delicate constitution was not considered consonant with the harsh, hurrying world of business.

How times have changed! And how rapidly! Pride in economic independence is expressed ubiquitously today by women who earn their own living. There are fewer and fewer examples of the pitiful “poor relation” who must find her food and lodging in the home of some more affluent relative.

Daughters of wealthy parents today plan careers. Although they will never have to earn their actual livings, they want the thrill of business, and the knowledge that they possess the ability to make their own ways in the world.

The bachelor girl takes the place of the simpering old maid. In place of a parrot, knitting, and a porch rocking chair, the modern unmarried woman has the interest of the whole world through her business connections.

If the married woman of today does not relish housework, she is at liberty to have a career in the business world. The percentage of married women who are working grows surprisingly every year, especially in the larger cities where more opportunities are found. The war, of course, gave a great impetus to this movement. Many women who had done war-time work found they could not be happy when they returned to the humdrum roles of housekeepers. Something was lacking—an excitement, an interest in big accomplishment rather than merely seeing that the breakfast dishes got washed. Just so with the girls who work before they are married. They may decide to settle down to being old-fashioned wives, wives who cook, mend, sweep, and wash for friend husband. Soon the novelty palls, and, in the great majority of cases, these young women return to their business lives.

The greatest urge which women feel to earn their own livings is the glorious feeling of independence! No more asking father for money, no more explanations to friend husband about needing a new hat! Many wives have to plead for spending money, have to accept it as a gift. Is it to be wondered that they prefer their own pay envelopes?

Economic independence for women is here to stay! Having tasted this divine nectar of freedom, women will not give it up. Nor would the average man have them. Business women of intelligence are very interesting. They have more in common with their men friends than the sheltered, stay-at-home girl. Men find real companionship with the well-informed woman. She need not lose her feminine charm and delicacy just because she happens to work in an office. For a long time there will probably be a sex jealousy between men and women in business. The homo sapiens just can’t get over—at least not very quickly—his idea that he stands supreme in the realms of business. It is up to the woman of tomorrow to show that she can hold the place she has won in the world of business affairs.