What’s wrong with finishing school?

I saw a link to a video about a Nordic school that creates the perfect housewife. (I didn’t watch the video. It’s more than an hour long.)

I can hear the groans of disapproval. This sort of thing just isn’t done!

Why?

When did we lose the idea of learning (by which I mean studying, and being tested on) how to live with grace and style?

Not every woman will he a housewife.

Okay. So what? Isn’t it worth learning how to make a house inviting and pleasant?

We have magazines about it, and I’m sure there are YouTube videos, but what’s wrong with classes? You’re not going to become a Stepford Wife just because you learn some basic lessons about how to be a good housewife.

We’re all conditioned to have this response: but what about the men? What do they have to do?

I reject the premise (that everything that applies to women has to have a male corollary, and vice versa.) That’s a modern sickness.

But in any event, there are things men should learn as well, and there’s no reason men and women can’t learn many of the same things.

If I were to create a school curriculum, it would include things like etiquette, ballroom dancing, martial arts, basic handyman skills, personal finance, and how to make a home pleasant.

9 thoughts on “What’s wrong with finishing school?”

  1. There’s nothing wrong with finishing school. It’s interesting that you raise this because it seems today’s cultural “hot topics” don’t focus on this much.

    That said, there’s always going to be radicals who oppose any issue. Yet, generally, those who might voice concern likely would do so if the purpose of finishing school was to reinforce the notion that women are expected to “only” assume the role of a housewife. As well, that it’s “only” women who need to learn how to manage a home.

  2. Absolutely! And men need to be properly trained to wear slippers, smoke a pipe, and read a newspaper.

      1. And what’s wrong with any of those things?

        People these days seem to think it’s degrading to serve their spouse, or do things for their spouse.

        That’s a poisonous attitude.

        When I was in my early 20s, I attended some marriage seminars with the Evangelical church I was attending at the time. The basic message was “serve one another in love.” The men were taught how to serve their wives. The women were taught how to serve their husbands.

        1. According to the old scenario, he serves 40 hours a week, while a woman’s work is never done.

        2. As I said previously, nothing is wrong with those things…as long as the context is as you described…done in love and service to “one another” (as the scripture teaches). Yet, in some circles that’s not the context and that’s when it becomes an issue.

        1. I especially love this line:
          Day after day there are girls at the office
          And men will always be men.

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