She told me that she was going to New York to embark on a steamer for Germany, with the intention of entering a German college.
She was undertaking this long journey alone.

Such an incident would be impossible in China; even in England, or indeed in any European country, I hardly believe that a respectable young girl would be allowed to take such a journey without some trusty friend to look after her.

But in America this is a common occurrence, and it is a credit to the administration, and speaks volumes for the good government of the country, that for sensible wide-awake American girls such undertakings are perfectly safe.
This notion of independence and freedom has modified the relation of children to their parents.

Instead of children being required to show respect and filial obedience, the obligation of mutual love and esteem is cultivated.

Parents would not think of ordering a girl or a boy to do anything, however reasonable; in all matters they treat them as their equals and friends; nor would a girl submit to an arbitrary order from her mother, for she does not regard her as a superior, but as her friend and companion.