Ah, young love. Such earnest yearning never grows old.
Although hearts still throb and passions still burn, romance just isn’t what it used to be. American society has changed so drastically over the past century that long-held customs seem totally foreign today.
Question Box was a daily column that appeared 100 years ago on the Beacon Journal Woman’s Page. Young readers, mostly female, sought counsel from the unnamed “Woman’s Editor,” presumably a woman, who dispensed advice on the most pressing issues of the day — mainly boys, dating, etiquette and physical appearance.
No matter the personal topic, the wise and witty editor was there to guide troubled youths along a virtuous path and save them from ruining their reputations.
We thought it would be fun to take another look at some of the questions and answers from the columns of August 1914. Does the advice still hold up? What has changed?
Beware of hammocks, public dances and car rides with boys, my dears.
Q: When meeting a boy on the street, which should speak first — the boy or girl?
A: It is the girl’s place to recognize the boy first. Among old friends, however, this formality is not observed closely.
Q: Should a boy always bring his girlfriend candy when he calls?
A: I see no reason why a boy should bring candy every time he calls and I would not lead him to think I expected it because he may not come to see you any more.
Q: I am in love with a young man who is very homely. Should this keep me from going with him? He is really beyond the ordinary for being homely.
A: His homeliness should not count against him if he is good. Your love should know if he has a beautiful character.
Q: Should I sit in a hammock with boys?
A: Well, a hammock means pretty close sitting, doesn’t it? Once in a while it does no harm, but don’t do it too much — and be sure it’s a good, decent boy who sits with you, my dear.
Q: My boyfriend’s name is Harry but everyone calls him “Whitey.” Should I call him that?
A: I do not think there is any harm in calling him “Whitey” except it doesn’t sound very well.
Q: What is a nice present to get a young man for his birthday?
A: Watch fob, fountain pen, pocket pencil holder, shoe trees, sofa pillow, college banners.
Q: Is it all right for girls to attend ballgames on Sunday afternoon?
A: Some people think there should be no ballgames on Sunday. Personally, I think it is as good a way as any to keep young people out of mischief on a dull Sunday afternoon. If your parents do not object, I see no reason why you should not attend.
Q: Is it right for a crowd of young girls to attend dances?
A: It depends upon the kind of dances. I do not approve of public dances, my dear.
Q: I am a girl 18 years old. Will you tell me what is good for fingers being large at the tips?
A: There is no remedy that will have much effect. Pinch the fingers, pulling toward the tip, continually. At night, you can force thimbles down on the fingers, and wear gloves to keep the thimbles on all night.
Q: How late should girls stay up at night?
A: If they want to grow into strong, beautiful women, they should be in bed at 10 o’clock at the latest.
Q: What will take freckles off the face?
A: Use lemon juice every night. Let it stay on and wash off with warm water and a mild soap in the morning. Use a little cold cream after that and a little dusting of a face powder. Wear broad-brimmed hats, carry a parasol, keep out of the sun and keep your skin covered as much as you can.
Q: Is it proper for a girl of 17 in company with four boys to go auto riding in the country without any girlfriends?
A: It is not at all proper.
Q: Is it proper to give a young man your picture?
A: Not unless you are engaged to marry him.
Q: I have a friend that has blue eyes, light hair and fair complexion; 5 feet 7 inches tall. Do you consider him good looking? I am 5 feet 5 inches tall, dark brown hair and eyes, and light complexion. Do you consider me good looking?
A: I cannot tell whether you are handsome or not by this description. I should judge that you are both good to look at if you keep clean, have good thoughts and live wholesome lives.
Q: Why should a boy not kiss a girl when he leaves?
A: Because when she lets him kiss her he classes her with all the other cheap girls he knows who let the boys kiss them. When boys and girls get beyond being little children, they should save their kisses for their own relatives and for the one they someday expect to marry.
Q: What can I do to straighten my back, as I am inclined to be round-shouldered and hollow-chested?
A: Keep your chin up and your chest well filled with air. Breathe deep, so you feel it in your stomach. Stand so that your weight is on the balls of your feet. And remember that the Lord gave you your body to be proud of, my dear, so make it as upright and beautiful as you can.
Q: I have a long face and very thin. How can I make my cheeks plumper?
A: You cannot make your face fleshier without making your body fleshier also. Eat plenty and sleep long hours and you will soon be plump.
Q: There is a boy who speaks to me every time he sees me. I do not think he is the right kind of a boy to notice. He seems to be a cigarette fiend. What should I do, not notice him?
A: Simply ignore him and if he persists, notify the authorities.
Q: Do you think it is improper for a girl of 16 to keep steady company?
A: It is unwise. A girl of 16 is not formed yet in her mind, heart or body, and the boy she thinks she loves when she is 16 will be nothing to her when she is 18 or 20. So keep yourself free, my dear, from any entanglements with boys until you are old enough to know a real man when you see him.
Q: I am a young girl of 19. I can run a household, cook, bake and know how to handle children. Am I too young to be married?
A: You apparently know enough to make a good housewife. I should think you are old enough to marry.
Q: I am a girl of 19 and am keeping company with a young man of 20. He wants me to marry him next month, but I would rather wait another year. What is best?
A: I think you are wise to wish to wait until he is at least 21 when he will be of age and probably have more sense and know better what he really wants. However, if he is able to support a wife now, if you love each other truly and his parents give their consent, it might be all right to marry now.
Copy editor Mark J. Price is author of The Rest Is History: True Tales From Akron’s Vibrant Past, a book from the University of Akron Press. He can be reached at 330-996-3850 or mjprice@thebeaconjournal.com.