Page:Personal Beauty and Racial Betterment.djvu/94

 that ultimately it will not lead to a sexual morality far higher than the present standard.

If the growing freedom of women does not lead to the recognition of childbearing as a contribution to the state—the state, in its permanency representing the interests of posterity—the future offers little chance of racial betterment. If this recognition is gained, and with it is established the principle that the woman who relinquishes gainful occupation to bear children is entitled to adequate recompense therefor, racial betterment may be greatly furthered. But such furtherance depends also upon the maintenance of the family life with all that it now implies and more, except the dependency of the wife on the husband; and if this family life be lost, the situation will undoubtedly be worse than at present. The detailed problems must be met as they arise, but they will be met successfully only if we keep our ideals alive, and determine our legal, economic, and social measures in conformity with them. Neither by ignoring conditions and directions of change, nor by applying ancient formulae to new facts, can we maintain social equilibrium and secure progress. New wine must be put in new bottles, and the bottles must be ready when the wine needs bottling.