Page:The Woman Socialist - Snowden - 1907.djvu/72

 Surely nothing less than a new social ideal as well as a new economic system is going to allow of a moral relationship between men and women. Surely nothing more is wanted to teach and convince men that the degradation of woman is wrong.

Socialists expect that, under Socialism, the terrible evil of prostitution will disappear. If it does not, it will be either because women are still denied political power, or because their votes have decided that the prostitute must remain. But if, as at present, the "unfortunate woman" be regarded as a necessity in those days of advanced thought and increased opportunities, then her status must be raised. She must not be an acknowledged necessity and a scorned outcast at the same time, as is the case now. Her position in the State will be clearly defined. She will be held to be performing a necessary social service. Whether this idea meets with favour or not, it is the only fair, the only possible solution—if the prostitute is to remain.

But surely she will disappear. The inducements to this life have already been mentioned. A good living without too much hardship or physical and mental strain; a