Christian literature for children; Women -- Social and moral questions; Young women -- Conduct of life
A more general diffusion of the privileges now enjoyed by a few only,
would prevent the envy of others, no less than the vanity of the favored
ones. It would assimilate the tastes, and multiply the sympathies, of
the sexes; it would repress the arrogant sense of superiority in man,
and convince him that woman was neither made for a household drudge, nor
yet for an education of mere show and accomplishment. The useful would
be seen to benefit her at least as much as man.
Some are fearful that women may become too learned, that they will then
be discontent with their ordinary occupations, and become tinged with
"blue," and lose their native simplicity. Such should recollect that it
is "shallow draughts" of knowledge, which "intoxicate the brain." A truly
learned person seldom affects superiority to others, or gives himself
airs. I know of no better security against the tyranny of fashion,
against caprice, _ennui_, and the languishments of indolence, than a
well stored mind. She who best comprehends her nature and relations,
will usually best adorn any and every sphere in which Providence may
place her.
I am led here to say, that if a distinction must exist in the education
of the sexes, that, which is deemed the weaker, should receive the best.
Is it not palpably unjust to assign woman a low rank in the scale of
intellect, when we do nothing to elevate her to an equality in this
respect with man? Why educate the girl only in the graces of learning,
while you give the boy tasks which try his utmost power? Are
accomplishments all she needs to place her on a level with man? Yet how
often do we see her
"Bred only * * * * * *
* * * * * * to sing, to dance,
To dress, and troule the tongue, and roll the eye."
Give her facilities for the full culture of her understanding and the
highest faculties of her soul, and if she then fail, with more reason
may you repeat the taunt about her mental inferiority to man.
This leads to the remark, that female education should embrace our whole
nature, and not one portion of it. Why sacrifice the body to the
improvement of the mind? It is a melancholy spectacle to witness the
pale countenances and attenuated forms of many youth of this sex, as
they issue from the school-room. How long shall consumption prey on so
many at this age? When will American females imitate those of our
fatherland, where sickness among this sex is almost as rare as perfect
health is in our own country?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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