WOMAN'S PLACE IN NATURE 



I.— By M. S. PEMBREY, M.A., M.D. 



The present time is one of unrest; and one of the signs, the 

 violent agitation in pursuit of the so-called "rights of women," 

 is worthy of consideration as a problem of biology. As such the 

 movement has both a physiological and pathological aspect, and 

 there are many indications that a frank discussion on these lines 

 is needed. The problem is not a simple one. The agitation is 

 not supported but resisted by a majority of the women of this 

 country ; in the ordinary sense of the word it is not political, for 

 the militants of the so-called " woman's movement" will support 

 alike Tories, Liberals, Radicals, and Socialists, provided that 

 they will cry "Votes for Women." It is a movement supported 

 by a limited number of women and men, whose views may be 

 in advance of civilisation or may on the other hand be an 

 expression of the pathological effects of over-civilisation. 



It is often forgotten that men and women are subject to 

 biological laws. The effects of civilisation upon the character- 

 istics which they have shared with animals for unknown ages 

 are very small and are not necessarily progressive. Public 

 opinion in this country has been greatly influenced by the 

 advances and theories of biological science. The belief in the 

 Bible as a guide to conduct has been undermined, but the 

 practical application of the theory of evolution has not taken 

 its place. Even among scientific men the pressure exerted by 

 public opinion is so strong that conventional views on morality 

 are often more effective than the teaching of science. Public 

 opinion upon what is right and what is wrong varies from time to 

 time, and at any time is a question of geography. The biological 

 basis of a true morality must be eternal, the same at all times 

 and in all places and for all mankind. 



If the subject of woman's place in nature is examined from 

 the biological standpoint, it will be found that there is no 

 support for the doctrine of equality. Biology shows that 

 differentiation in structure and division of labour go together, 



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