________________
THE IDEAL OF INDIAN WOMANHOOD
tionable privilege, could occupy the position of the lord and master of the family. When thousands of young men are defeated in the economic struggle for existence, for no fault of theirs, at least
corresponding number of women must look out for themselves. Middle-class women, in a progressively increasing number, shall be entering the rena of the struggle for existence, not by choice, but under compulsion. It is casy enough to warn ther off; but what is the alternative? The kind concern for keeping the "weaker sex" out of the vicissitudes of the economic struggle for existence, may sound very magnanimous. But only the naive will be deceived by such cheap demagogy. The cynically minded easily see the significance of such modern paternalism. It is a denial of economic freedom to women. What the women are told, in effect, is : "You keep house for men, hear them children to inherit their property, and they will protect you; if you happen to be fortunate enough, you may even be pampered." In other words, the women are enjoined to be breeding machines, and per chance toys in exceptional cases; but not to complain. Because, that is their natural function. The cat is out of the bag.
The crucial question, however, is: How many women in contemporary India can have even the questionable privilege of the benevolent protection of man? How many men can honestly and confidently offer such protection? Very few in either
169
