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UR STANDARD OF LIVING: We are told that Canada's 7 standard of. living is one of the highest in the world. \We have I relatively. high wage. rates, ample food for most of our people, a high per capita ownership of cars and refrigerators and more new gadgets coming on the market all the time. The question is whether such things alone make a high standard of living. Some of us might be more ready to subscribe to the following standard drafted for home- makers by Leta G. Bane: “The satisfying home is economically souml, physically healthful, mechanically convenient. artislirally satisfying. marlin/1y stimulating. morally wholesome, socially responsible, spiriizmlly inspiring. fortirtled on mutual affection and respect." _ ‘ And we believe that if a group of thinking women would take this as the text for a discussion at an Institute meeting or a series of meetings, they might produce some practical recommendations for making such a home. Most women could contribute, from their own experience. a few thrift measures to make a home “economically 50und.” Thev might ask for a family night with a farm economist to talk about keeping farm accounts. They would be pretty sure to see the need of both health education and health services if people are to have “physically healthful" homes and their conference might rank in work for a health unit or a baby clinic or group hospitalization. Any group of homekeeping women would have a lot to say about making a home "mechanically convenient." They might even arrange for a home remodelling meeting with an engineer and :1 home economist to consult with, or a tour of visits to "convenient" homes â€" for obvious reasons taking their men with them. Good pictures and good music would have a place in the talk about an “artistically satisfying" home; and how to build and landscape and furnish a home for beauty and interest. Out of this might come tin exhibit of prints from an art gallery, or a choral class, or talks with slides on horticulture. Concerning the "mentally stimulating" home it might be a mental stimulant or something of a shockâ€"to consider what we talk about around our family dinner tables; what books we read, if any; what radio programs we listen to; and how to raise our standards if we want to. The satisfying home is "morally wholesome," "socially responsible." "spiritually inspiring." Surely mothers or teachers or other Institute members would have a great deal to say about how to influence childrenI and even adults, to keep the law and to go the second mile in the on» enforceable regulations; how to be good neighbors and intelligent, unâ€" selfish citizens. And there would be members with ideas about how to cultivate a spiritual dynamic; how to put goodness, truth and beauty into family living. ' "The satisfying home is founded on mutual. affection and respect.” Here we get into the field of family relationships, and once we begln to see the scope and effects of family relationships we are likely to want to study the subject farther. perhaps through lectures or films on mental health or an extension course in psychology for the hoine_iiial<er. - We submit that such a program has a place in establishing a high standard of living. W SUMMER 1955