The Education of American GirlsBrackett, Anna C. (Anna Callender)
General
The Education of American Girls
Brackett, Anna C. (Anna Callender)
Women -- Education -- United States
I can recall numbers of instances of girls who came to us weak,
indifferent, listless, full of morbid whims and uncontrolled caprices of
mind and body, who gained in this bracing atmosphere of happy, sustained
industry, such an impetus toward real health that they forgot aches and
discontents, and went home ready and eager to do their share in the
world's work.
Every one knows that uncongenial, badly-planned, disconnected, or
purposeless effort fatigues, worries, and weakens both body and mind: is
it difficult to believe the converse--that thorough, methodical, and
helpful activity stimulates and strengthens.
To these general statements, I add the following particulars respecting
the last three classes. I have divided each class into three groups,
designated respectively "Good," "Fair," "Delicate," according to the
condition of health in which the individual students entered upon the
college curriculum.
CLASS OF 1871.
Entered in good health 14
" " fair " 5
" " delicate " 2
Of the fourteen "good," thirteen graduated in as good health; one in
much deteriorated health.
Of the five "fair," all left improved, as did also the "two delicate."
CLASS OF 1872.
Entered in good health 18
" " fair " 9
" " delicate " 1
Of the eighteen "good," all left in as good or better health.
Of the nine "fair" all improved, and the one "delicate" had ceased to
make that distinction necessary; she was promoted to "fair."
CLASS OF 1873.
Entered in good health 19
" " fair " 14
" " delicate " 12
Of the nineteen "good," fifteen left as well as they came. Two took the
course too young, and felt the undue strain in diminished general
strength. Two deteriorated in health.
Of the fourteen "fair," five left in essentially the same condition;
nine improved.
Of the twelve "delicate," five left in the same condition; seven
improved.
It is scarcely necessary to say that every year the same old battles
with bad habits in dress, diet, exercise, sleep, and work, have to be
fought; but the enemies are not so numerous, and the allies of health
and common sense are always gaining in numbers and strength; so the
prospect for ultimate and complete victory improves. Perhaps the
greatest obstacle that we find to the consummation of our scheme for
intellectual training, is the pressure made by students, and even more
strongly by their parents, to take the work while they are too young.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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