mong the fairly well-to-do, no
dearth of assistance offered to the young girl in making her choice.
Much of the advice, unfortunately, is not based on real knowledge
either of vocations or of the girl. Knowledge is absolutely necessary
to successful judgment in this delicate matter.

From a large number of letters written by high-school girls let me
quote the following typical answers to the question: Why have you
chosen the vocation for which you are preparing?

"Ever since I could walk my uncle has been making plans for
me in music."

"My first ambition was to be a stenographer, but my father
objected. My father's choice was for me to be a teacher, and
before long it was mine too."

"My ambition until my Junior year in High School was to be a
teacher. From that time until now my ambition is to be a
good stenographer. My reason for changing is due partly to
my friends and parents. My parents do not want me to be a
teacher, as they consider it too hard a life."

"I have been greatly influenced by my teacher, who thinks I
have a chance [as a dramatic art teacher]. I am willing to
take her word for it.".

"Mother says it is a very ladylike occupation"
[stenography].

"My music instructor wishes for me to become a concert
player, or at least a good music teacher, and I now think I
wish the same."

These answers all show the customary ease of throwing out advice, and
also the undue significance attached by girls to these probably
inexpert opinions.

Parents often fail in their attempts to launch their children
successfully. Sometimes they attempt unwisely to thrust a child into
an occupation merely because "it is ladylike," or the "vacation is
long," or "the pay is good," regardless of the child's aptitude or
limitations. Quite often they await inspiration in the form of some
revelation of the child's desires, regardless of the demand of society
for such service as the child may elect to supply or the effect of the
vocation upon the child's health or character. Undue sacrifice on the
part of parents has without question swelled the ranks of mediocre
physicians and lawyers and clergymen. It has doubtless produced
thousands of teachers who cannot teach, nurses who are quite unsuited
to the sick-room, and office workers who have not the rudiments of
business ability.

It would seem that truly successful guidance in a girl's