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Travel Piece  by Ida Nasatir

Letter from Paris,  by Ida Nasatir, October 20, 1950

October 20, 1950—Ida Nasatir, "A Letter from Paris," Southwestern Jewish Press, page 7:   Dear Julia and Mac: Not long ago I wrote you saying that Paris was "a woman's town." It is, but now I say that you girls in san Diego would not like being Parisian wives. Not one bit! The legal status of the French wife is terribly low, and I use the word "terribly" advisably.  For instance, listen girls: Divorces are not granted here by French Catholic judges for a man's meandering unfaithfulness which is rather expected and condoned. Financial settlements by the bride's parents are still customary before the girl can acquire a husband. Respectable girls are not free to elope and do as they please, but are always under strict parental control and of the men folk, either father or husband. A Frenchman may openly and extravagently support several mistresses, if he chooses to do so, occasionally with his wife's money, and be penurious with his wife, but still such conduct does not constitute grounds for divorce. Neither is he responsible for extravagant purchases of his wife, or for any.  Alimony is virtually unknown and rarely, if ever, exceeds a mere pittance of $25 monthly, which is considered enough for a woman's subsistence.  Twenty thousand francs, or $60, is the largest amount that has ever been awarded. Therefore, alimony hunters in France are unknown, and tolerant wives rely on their ability to hold their husband's affection and on his sense of chivalry. A  woman's life theoretically ends with the death of her husband. I was shocked to discover that life insurance for widows and children is not customary, which may be one reason why the French are such a saving and frugal people. Family life however, is somewhat closer than in America, despite rumor to the contrary, and husbands return home for a daily two-hour luncheon whenever possible. Although General De Gaulle gave the vote to women when France was liberated from the Germans after the second world War, yet French women have never relaly become interested in the popular franchise, preferring to leave that part of life to their men. You see, life is viewed differently in la belle France, which after all is "a woman's country" and where such democratic sentiments as liberte, egalite, et fraternite are still symbolized by a beautiful woman, even on the paper money.  Aren't you glad, Julia, you are married to Mac...and that your permanent home is San Diego, U.S.A.?  Fondly, Ida Nasatir.