by Julia Schrenkler
Member since:
August 31, 2005

Open discussion: Is there a place for finishing schools in today's world?

September 21, 2009 10:51 AM EDT
views: 153 | comments: 14

From Not your typical summer camp:

Participants at the Ramsey House Finishing School for Young Ladies spent part of their school vacation studying the Victorian era -- a time of morals, modesty and manners. Instead of seasonal attire like swimsuits and flip flops, these girls donned corsets and petticoats. And rather than roasting marshmallows, they enjoyed formal tea parties.

 

Is this a time-travel experience, or a life experience? Is there a place for finishing schools in today's world? Would you send your children to a finishing school or history camp?

This is an open discussion, so you're welcome to link to your related Gather articles or other online resources. Your comments & articles may be quoted on MPR's Your Voice or elsewhere on mpr.org.

________________
Julia Schrenkler
Interactive Producer
Minnesota Public Radio
Objects in Mirror

 

Comments: 14

Jim G. Sep 21, 2009, 11:00am EDT
From an educational point of view, I suppose that it is valuable to show them how fortunate they are to have today's opportunities to be whatever they want to be.
Julia Schrenkler Sep 21, 2009, 11:26am EDT
That was definitely a theme in the interview, Jim.
Susan Budig Sep 21, 2009, 11:04am EDT
Good Morning, Julia! Why do you push my buttons when I have a full schedule of appointments?
On the one hand, finishing school, to me, is about manners and respect. All children and adults could benefit from a lengthy course in those qualities.

But this finishing school for young ladies teaches, it would appear, girls to respect others, but at the expense of their own self-respect? Does it teach them to acquiesce to men? I didn't watch the video or look at the provided link. Need to do that before ranting further....
Julia Schrenkler Sep 21, 2009, 11:26am EDT
*laughing* Sorry Susan, didn't mean to push buttons. You do need to watch it, and then I'd really like to read your take.
Ellen B. Sep 21, 2009, 11:14am EDT
It is interesting, and could teach a very valuable lesson; about how far women have come. I think it could also deepen a appreciation of the freedoms women enjoy today, by walking in someone's shoes of that era. If I had a daughter, I'd let her go if she expressed an interest first
Julia Schrenkler Sep 21, 2009, 11:28am EDT
There certainly is a historical / anthropological lesson dimension to the camp, at least that's what I took from the video.

"If I had a daughter, I'd let her go if she expressed an interest first" - Ellen B.

What an interesting distinction, Ellen. Would you apply that to other types of camp as well? I don't want to assume...
Ellen B. Sep 21, 2009, 11:37am EDT
The reason I said I'd let her go, if she expressed an interest first; is because I don't know that this would be something every kid would want to do- so if she heard about it from somewhere and wanted to go- I'd let her. I also would want it to be completely her choice to go, so she wouldn't feel like I was implying that this is how women are actually supposed to be- since women of the victorian era were expected to be very demure and subservient.
Julia Schrenkler Sep 21, 2009, 1:07pm EDT
Thank you for the follow-up Ellen. I appreciate your candor, and def. see your point.
Mary Kinney Sep 21, 2009, 9:17pm EDT
Personally I would've lived something like this when I was a teen and now I can see how it would be useful for girls as a learning experience both to appreciate the advantages they have now and to learn manners which are sorely lacking in today's generation. They might never be invited to tea, but then you never know what will come out of the blue. I wouldn't force a child to go, but I would tell them the advantages and give them a choice. I sometimes think that internet common courtesy should be taught as well.
Julia Schrenkler Sep 22, 2009, 2:46pm EDT
That's an interesting idea, Mary. I may be wrong, but I believe that the scouts (both Boy and Girl Scouts) were revisiting their "digital" badges and training.
Julia Schrenkler Sep 22, 2009, 2:47pm EDT
Some of the answers here are making me wonder. Should manners be taught at home?
Mary Kinney Sep 22, 2009, 2:50pm EDT
They should be, but sometimes, especially with manners they are easier learned in practice and with their peers present. When everyone learns at once no one can feel superior or left out so the lessons are easier to accept.
Julia Schrenkler Sep 23, 2009, 9:36am EDT
That's a very good point, Mary.
Julia Schrenkler Nov 18, 2009, 10:15am EST
I shared this discussion on Facebook (thanks, Gather, for making that easy) and have two very interesting responses:

Matt Abe elaborated on the topic: "Ramsey House Finishing School seems to take this idea to an extreme. The Jon D. Williams Cotillions (http://www.cotillion.com/) are a more real-world version of what our kids and American culture desperately need in the face of an increasingly coarse popular culture. [...] I didn't mean to sound negative against the Ramsey House camp. I applaud showing these girls that there are alternatives to gangsta culture, hypersexuality, and pop culture misogyny. Boys need to hear that message too!"

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