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A Domestic Problem : Work and Culture in the Household By: Abby Morton Diaz (1821-1904) |
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Work and Culture in the Household
by MRS. A. M. DIAZ AUTHOR OF "THE SCHOOLMASTER'S TRUNK," ETC. 1895 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. TAKING A VIEW OF THE SITUATION.
CHAPTER II. ONE CAUSE OF THE SITUATION. A PART OF "WOMAN'S MISSION" CONSIDERED.
CHAPTER III. CULTURE PROVED TO BE A NEED OF THE CHILD TRAINER.
CHAPTER IV. THE OTHER PART OF "WOMAN'S MISSION."
CHAPTER V. OTHER CAUSES CONSIDERED.
CHAPTER VI. REASONS FOR A CHANGE.
CHAPTER VII. A WAY OUT.
CHAPTER VIII. SUGGESTIONS FOR LECTURE TOPICS
CHAPTER IX. WAYS OF IMMEDIATE ESCAPE
CHAPTER X. MEANS OF ESCAPE ALREADY IN OPERATION
CHAPTER XI. SUPPLEMENTARY
A DOMESTIC PROBLEM WORK AND CULTURE IN THE HOUSEHOLD .
CHAPTER I. TAKING A VIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Our problem is this: How may woman enjoy the delights of culture, and
at the same time fulfil her duties to family and household? Perhaps it
is not assuming too much to say, that, in making known the existence
of such a problem, we have already taken the first step toward its
solution, just as a ship's crew in distress take the first step toward
relief by making a signal which calls attention to their needs. The next step after having, as we may say, set our flag at
half mast is one which, if all we hear be true, should come easily to
women in council, namely, talking. And talking we must have, even if,
as in the social game called "Throwing Light," much of it is done at a
venture. In that interesting little game, after a few hints have been
given concerning "the word," different members of the company begin at
once to talk about it, and think about it, and suggest and hazard
descriptive remarks, according to the idea each has formed of it; that
is, they try, though in the dark, to "throw light." As the interest
increases, the excitement becomes intense. Many of the ideas expressed
are absurdly wide of the mark, yet even these help to show what the
answer is not; and often, by their coming in contact, a light is
struck which helps amazingly. And so, in regard to our problem, we
have the hints; then why not begin at once to think about it, and talk
about it, and suggest, and guess, and throw light with all our might?
No matter if we even get excited, say absurd things, say utterly
preposterous things, make blunders. Blunders are to be expected. Let
them fly right and left; by hitting together right smartly they may
strike out sparks which shall help us find our way. We all have heard of the frank country girl who said to her bashful
lover, "Do say something, if it isn't quite so bright!" This,
doubtless, is what every thoughtful woman, if she expressed the
sincere desire of her heart regarding our perplexing question, would
say to all other women; and it is to comply with that wish, partly
expressed to me, that I have gathered up from chance observation,
chance reading, and hearsay, some ideas bearing on the subject.
Suppose we begin by looking about us, and making clear to our minds
just what this state of things is, which, because it hinders culture,
many deem so unsatisfactory. After that, we will consider its causes,
reasons for changing it, and the way or ways out of it. A few, a very few, of our women are able to live and move and have
their being literally regardless of expense. These can buy of skilled
assistants and competent supervisors, whole lifetimes of leisure; with
these, therefore, our problem has no concern. The larger class, the
immense majority, either do their work themselves, or attend
personally to its being done by others; "others" signifying that
inefficient, untrustworthy, unstable horde who come fresh from their
training in peat bog and meadow, to cook our dinners, take care of our
china dishes, and adjust the nice little internal arrangements of our
dwellings. Observing closely the lives of the immense majority, I think we shall
see, that, in conducting their household affairs, the object they have
in view is one and the same. I think we shall see that they all
strive, some by their own labors wholly, the rest by covering over and
piecing out the shortcomings of "help," to present a smooth, agreeable
surface to husbands and company... Continue reading book >>
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