Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 76.djvu/70

66 A glance at the causes as given above will explain this disproportion in the decline of the rate. It is the more individuated who feel the greatest interest in those activities which compete with child-raising, and the better informed who know the efficient methods of preventing the unwelcome child. The majority of large families at present are the result not so much of deliberation as of ignorance. As with the increase of knowledge and the complexity of civilization the situation is likely to become more pronounced, it is a pressing problem to ascertain by what means we may increase the birth rate of the superior stocks, and keep down at least proportionately the children of inferior blood.

There is need for a direct appeal to make child production a matter of religion and ethics rather than of mere whim, though too much must not be expected from it. A plea such as Roosevelt's, however, for indiscriminate large families is certainly uncalled-for, and "race progress" rather than "race suicide" should be the cry. If the decline in the rate were evenly distributed, it might not even be regrettable, for the old rate could not have been maintained indefinitely without undue pressure on the productivity of the earth. The only logical excuse for the Roosevelt attitude is the military one, but the favorable geographical position and commercial supremacy of the United States may save us from anxiety on this score, and the disadvantage of a rapidly growing population in greater poverty, poorer education and a slower rate of social progress is a far more important consideration for us at present.

The appeal for large families is of use only when directed especially to persons of superior ability, as from the innately inferior the fewer children the better. The average parents should replace themselves by bringing at least two children to maturity and marriage, four births in general being required for this result.

A most desirable means for limiting the families of the inferior, as falling in with the noblest efforts for social progress, would be the abolition of child labor. While every additional child in the lowest stratum of society may be made a means of profit within ten or fifteen years, we must expect the lazy and the incapable to multiply at the expense of those to whom the child is an object of care and sacrifice.

Another definite advantage in the redistribution of the birth rate would be gained by ceasing to treat as illegal the knowledge of the prevention of conception. Thus the ignorant would no longer be favored in fecundity, and a more reasonable proportion would result. Though it is true that the rate might in this way be brought somewhat below the point of maximum advantage, yet we should then, granting selected immigration, be placed in a position to build up the population by an increase of membership from the best stocks.

The divorce laws also might be made of beneficial effect. The eugenic value of divorce at present is that it removes from the parental possibilities of marriage certain individuals who are inferior in one way