66 TEE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



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 in- 

 crease 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 Koosevelt's, however, for in- 

 discriminate large families is certainly uncalled-for, and " race prog- 

 ress " 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 Eoosevelt 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 ex- 

 pense 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 fav- 

 ored 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 



