SOLVINC
TN these days of quick and easy?
and numerous?divorces, it is always
easv to start nn aronmont
about marriage. And one of the
most debated questions pertaining to
matrimony is, "Shall a woman work
after marriage?"
There are a number of reasons why
a girl may feel that it is necessary for
her to continue her work. One is that
girls in college do not train primarily
for homemaking but are educated tor
professions and other occupations, iust
as are men students.
Another reason is plain economic
necessity. Many young people have
had to shoulder financial obligations and
responsibilities in their own families
during the last few years. Often, young
women will not let the men they intend
to marry remove these burdens from
them.
Often, the men have similar obligations
of their own, and the sensible
solution may be the one whereunder the
. ouple marries and each assumes his or
her own burden rather than delay the
wedding date
ur. ?-ielen Judy-Bond, professor al
Teachers College, Columbia University,
who instructs in home management and
family social relations, points out that
the world would have lost some of its
greatest benefits had married women
been deprived of the opportunity of
carrying on in a profession.
One needs only to think of the value
of Madam Curie's contribution to humanity
to be convinced of this.
Dr. Judy-Bond maintains that the
question of whether a wife should work
cannot be solved by society, or industry,
or by the sages who write and talk
verbosely on the subject.
"No, a thousand times no. The de
j /he PRC
=rnwi
|k SH(
|W(
" S Here's a question
|j| B expected to answi
JpSfcse. by the individuals
expert on home i
. are definite rules t
husband t
cision must be made by the two peopl
concerned, for only they know the man
intimate problems that must be brough
into the picture."
But?if the wife is going to eontinu
to work after marriage. Dr Judy-Bom
believes there should be complete un
derstanding and co-operation abou
homemaking.
"Otherwise, in addition to the finan
cial contribution she is making, tin
young wife may find herself beannj
the burden of the home's work. Un
less the couple buys all its help, then
must be a division of tasks."
I^R. JUDY-BOND, one of the mos
eminent members of her profession
insists on equality of sharing, first o
all. When it comes to budgeting sh<
believes that it is impossible to pu
down many rules Much depends or
the scale of living and the persona
needs of the two individuals.
"How much money a couple shoulc
have before they marry must be determined
by their plan of living anc
their occupation," she explains. "If ?
man is a day laborer his scale differs
from that of a man preparing to be a
college instructor. It always is wise tc
have a reserve fund for emergencies
and to put aside so much each week
but this matter must be worked out.
"I believe that two young people
should have an understanding about the
manner in which their life together and
their finances are to be handled, and
should forget about commandments. It
they lay down rules they are likely tc
feel that they have failed, if an illness
or unexpected guests cause the budget
to be upset one week.
"Rent, however, should not. exceed 2G
or 25 per cent of the monthly income.
>BLEM of V
DULD
DRK^
which society can't be .
?r, but must be decided . / *"
concerned, says a noted
nanagement?but there
:o follow if the working ^
fxpect to make a go of it
~~~ ^| i
v.\
NM \ N*
e It may be easier to estimate by saying
y that it should not be more than one
t week's salary.
"Home ownership must be determined
e by the future plans of the man and girl,
j If they expect to reside permanently in
their community it might be. well to
t own a home. If they intend to move?
a young college instructor may be given
a position in another school?then the
j ownership of a home could handicap
I them."
Girls who have had work in home
e economics courses. Dr. Judy-Bond believes,
are better able to cope with domestic
problems than are those who
t open a cook book and get out the measuring
plans and spoons,
f Girls approach marriage in a wiser,
; more understanding way today, she bet
lieves, than when their mothers were
\ entering on this venture. They are do1
ing an excellent job, too.
"They have an opportunity of choosI
ing their husbands, whereas their
mothers were more limited, not having
I careers of their own to pursue, as a
i rule, if they didn't marry. They did not
; come in contact with many men, either."
i
> rPHE matter of saving, while important,
should not dwarf other values.
Dr. Judy-Bond asserts.
"'The newly married jrouple should not
save so much on a small income that
: they sacrifice food values and other
I necessities. Saving can be exaggerated
1 The bride should not work after marf
riage if it is going to produce a serious
) conflict with her husband, but as a rule
; it will not. He will be grateful for the
extra financial aid, unless he is able to
take care of the household comfortably.**
I Courses on food and home management
for boys are increasing rapidly
Whether
In many schools they have been introduced
at the request of the boys.
The courses on marriage and the
family life are crowded at Columbia
University. !n fact, the number of students
enrolling for this work has increased
75 per cent in the last two
years.
"Young people are realizing that they
must understand the psychological,
physiological, and sociological basis of
the family. They must know how the
group should function if it would serve
society and the individual to the best of
its ability, how to make adjustments,
face problems, as well as what the
various organized groups are doing to
render help to them. Today an increasing
amount of time is being given to the
study of the constructive side of family
life while very little is devoted to the
remedial problems. The positive attitude
should be adopted."
There is a pronounced tendency, too.
Dr. Judy-Bond relat s, on the part of
young people to discuss the intimate
problems of marriage.
The nutrition department of Teachers
College, which works closely with the
home-making group, has expressed interest
in the reports from high schools
as to the number of boys who want to
know how to cook.
The old fear that girls were taking to
typewriters instead of stoves has been
dispelled by the enrollment in these
courses, and now that the boys are taking
an interest, there is no reason why
any family should not be well-fed.
"I think that it is of primary impor
lance in married life that every woman
know how to cook well," Professoi
Grace McLeod of this department says
"Unless a woman knows how to coolshe
can't have a happy, healthy family