A ROOM OF OUR OWN
Follette, Isabel B. La
A Room Of Our Own By Isabel B. La follette "MOTHER, is that book supposed to be funny?" asked our 17-year-old Bob picking up Elizabeth Hawes' Why Women Cry (or Wenches with Wrenches). "Depends...
...I bet the author of that book is a lousy cook...
...A Sad Commentary The average American woman as I know her on the farm and in the city makes a very satisfying life for herself and her family...
...There have always been women, doubtless like Miss Hawes herself, who by temperament and talent prefer to sacrifice a home for a career...
...I worked from the time I was eight years old," said the farmer's wife, "and I was determined that my children would have some play time, and they did...
...It has occurred to me many times during the past two years that the war has had an interesting effect on many of these women...
...Although I have not moved in Miss Hawes' circle where women pay $25,000 for seven dresses, nor have 1 worked in a defense plant (as Elizabeth Hawes did, long enough to get material for a book and then sank into the arms of Elizabeth Arden treatments), nevertheless in my slavish way I have come into contact with thousands of "Common Women," as Miss Hawes calls us, during the past 20 years who would be most surprised to hear that they are slaves...
...A Dissenting Opinion "There will be a central kitchen and if the mother feels in the mood she will procure food there and serve it at the home table, or if she prefers, the family will eat at the central dining room...
...he inquired...
...I used to hear much about women who are not "suited" to the rearing of children...
...Why, that's just an old-fashioned, out-moded idea of yours, my lad," I replied...
...I raised the problem of working mothers with two fine women, one a farmer, the other a "labor" wife, who have raised successful families and yet have been outstanding citizens in our community...
...Bob retorted...
...It is a sad commentary on human nature that we too often don't appreciate what we have until we face losing it...
...Most people's reaction, I think, will be that of Bob...
...The mashed potatoes were punk, the meat over-cooked, and everyone knows that bakery cake doesn't hold a candle to home-made...
...Their sentiment was the same—"Oh, Mrs...
...A Room Of Our Own By Isabel B. La follette "MOTHER, is that book supposed to be funny...
...While all of us "Slaves" have times when we think there must be something to Miss Hawes' idea, most women recognize that one can't have her cake and eat it too...
...Can't Do Justice To Both There is widespread concern these days over the position of women in the postwar world, and over the problem of juvenile delinquency in this period of emotional upheaval and war-working mothers...
...motherhood and the family have suddenly stood out to them as not only worth while but as the very hub of the universe...
...he asked...
...Miss Hawes feels that the school system ought to be reorganized so that it will run all day and keep you lads busy in wholesome surroundings where your parents, won't have to think about you," I replied...
...Just the few times we've been on trips and had to eat in restaurants were enough for me...
...Certainly there is drudgery in it, but the concept of a job of placing a bolt or stamping a die or running a machine for eight hours a day does not strike me as "freedom" either...
...Most women with a family realize the fact that they cannot even approximate their ideals of motherhood and a home even on a 24 hour basis, and certainly cannot be two places at once...
...Widows and mothers not earning "pin money" but forced to eke out the family income, know what they are up against—both the home and the job suffer...
...I did outside chores along with my husband, and stiff got my housework out of the way so that by the time the children got home from school I could spend some time with them...
...My own feeling is that in normal times the vast majority of women will choose a home and family rather than a career, and from what they are experiencing and observing today, will appreciate that they cannot do justice to both...
...La Follette, the time is so short—make the most of it...
...But where are you supposed to go when you want to relax and feel comfortable...
...Since we are- a free people we cannot quarrel with her right to a choice so long as she recognizes that it is a choice when children are involved...
...How are families going to eat when that happy day comes...
...Lousy...
...His comment at this point, I regret to state, cannot be printed, but his curiosity was aroused...
...Depends on what you call funny," I replied, and when he pursued the matter I continued, "The idea is that we Common Women are slaves to our families and homes and need to be emancipated...
...A while ago my younger daughter-in-law said to me, 'Mother, I want to bring up our children just the way you brought up Bill.' " Tears came to her eyes as she added, "I thought that was pretty nice...
...But who's going to run the homes...
...They had a good childhood, and," she smiled with pride, "they still like to come home...
...The experience and prospect of their boys being taken from them has changed their values...
...As I look back," said my city friend, "I can see a lot of things I would do differently now, but one thing we did do—we had a home life together, something our children appreciate even now and write us about...
Vol. 8 • January 1944 • No. 4
