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Description : Women should encourage their daughters to break into fields usually dominated by men, Noreen Stevens, wife of Sinclair Stevens (MP York-Simcoe) suggested last week.
"There is something wrong in keeping women's talents fenced in", Mrs. Stevens told delegates attending the 73rd annual meeting of Simcoe South District Women's Institutes. Her address centred around women in a changing world to coincide with International Women's year proclaimed by the United Nations.
Mrs. Stevens suggested women look into and encourage their daughters to consider careers in the legal, medical, dental or pharmacy fields. She believes there is no reason women should not be counsellors, mathematicians, architects, engineers or even electricians, plumbers or tinsmiths.
Our grandmothers knew, without her, meals would not be prepared, sewing done or the calves and chickens fed. "She was vital and she knew it," Mrs. Stevens told the 100 delegates at luncheon.
"The image of the working mother is more accepted now," the speaker noted pointing out fifty years ago it was necessary for a women to spend five hours a day in the kitchen preparing food that is done by today's homemaker in just 90 minutes.
Mrs. Stevens quoted statistics to prove female participation in the labor force is increasing. In 1947, 21.9 per cent were women; in 1957, 23.9 and in 1967, 30.7.
Fifteen years go fewer married women were working but this is changing.
She said often women postpone having children for a time after marriage so they can work. Similarly children are often spaced closely together so the mother can return to work.
"This points out a way of life for oncoming generations," Mrs. Stevens told the gathering.
She noted the average size of families is decreasing. "It used to be five, now it is three."
Mrs. Stevens listed five reasons why women work outside their homes. Usually it is for the added income to maintain a higher lifestyle than is possible on a husband's salary but some women work to escape boredom. She observed "white-collared" jobs are available to women more than ever before and working conditions are better. In addition excellent day care services encourage women to leave their children and join the workforce.
The speaker stressed that women prepare their daughters for the new trend with a good education. "No one can take it from you and it lasts a lifetime," she commented.
