7 ' "' ' :
r
'"
v v
r . rlw3 M fA Ji, Jf Si
i , - ' V
and first-class
John is tall, 35, nnd single.
Ilostosses love him. Married men envy
him. Society generally considers John
a gay and extra-special person, for al
most everyone loves a bachelor!
I happen to be John's cousin. I'm also
tall, 35, and single. But I happen to be
female. As a result, hostesses fret about
me. Relatives worry about me. Society
in general considers me an extra, for
almost everyone pities a bachelor girl!
I'm sure I'm speaking for thousands
of women like me when I say, "Your
Pity is poisonous and undeserved, and
so is your guilt!" For most single
Family Wtekly. August 25, 195?
women lead busy nnd happy lives, and
most of us have actually chosen our
pattern of life not because we're
opposed to marriage, but because we're
unwilling to settle ty second-rate
mates or second-best unions.
When I decided to live alone, I also
decided to like it that is, until the
right man comes along! I've done just
that liked it!
By day I'm a busy executive secre
tary with a firm that manufactures
children's wear. My salary and it's
increased steadily over the years
provides a comfortable apartment, good
books, nice clothes,
vacations and holidavs
By ,ght I n, a hostess to my friends,
a hospital volunteer, an amateur paint
er and a sports fan. Between my work
dmy ply,lhave neUher time
mchnat.on to bask in self-pity
Unfortunately, society is far J
comfoi table about m , 1 w .,
lam "P. a,:"-"' ",e " cent
G.o friend, ?u "'""T' "P1"1.- You ow you can care for voursclf.
slip by." iHow Stance and tnCleS " THT M,ke " '
enchantment') extent to which married women
"Hnmm," says my brother "so vouY Z"l fi"ancial dePpndence
Roing to be a well-tailored ma" kulin Ut Shm-ply whe" 8 life"
eo, man killing insurance company surveyed dozens of
career girl!" (Well-tailored,
perhaps, but some of the most
feminine and understanding
women I know are single.)
"Hey," ask the men I date,
"how come you've never
married?" (That question is
reversible, too, but I have the
prudence not to ask it.)
At least once a week a
woman friend will call to ask
me to a party. "Alice, dear,"
she will say, "I feel terrible,
but I can't dig up an extra
male." Or, "Alice, dear," she
will whine, "I've a date for
you not very' attractive
but, well, a man!"
To all hostesses, relatives,
and friends let me say:
"Alice, dear, doesn't expect
to get married every time she
goes out! There is nothing
wrong with me! If all I want
ed was a man, I'd have mar
ried long ago!"
I will add further that this
is 1957 and not the 19th cen
tury. In Jane Austen's day a
single daughter might have
been a family worry, an ex
tra mouth to feed, a clinging
vine. But today's spinster
what an ugly word! can face
with pride the prejudice of
modern society
Take my friend Lois, for
instance, who grew up in an
era "when nice cirls didn't
work." Lois did, however.
She had to work to help put
her five brothers and sisters
through school!
First she taught. Then she
took special training in child
guidance. Years ago she
opened one of the first girls'
camps in America. Today that
camp flourishes and so does
Lois. Contrary to being a
"family worry or a clinging
vine," Lois is the backbone of
her large family, the beloved
and resptcted aunt who has
helptd brothers and sisters,
nieces and nephews, and now
frMt-niecas through school,
ctmp, collg, and an assort
ment of problems.
Of course. Lois will admit
that marriage, with the love
and companionship of a husband and
children, is the best possible way of life.
But it is not the only way of life. For
Lois, and for me, there are real satis
factions in managing a single life well.
A pay check, for instance, is ally a
certificate of oitt's worth, a periodic pat
on the back. "Alice," a friend said re
cently, "in some wavs vnu'rp lnckv!