198 THE FAMILY AND THE NATION 



and brothers have become too much addicted, among 

 another section they have suffered as much, or perhaps 

 even more, from the wish to take an equal part in man's 

 work instead of his play. 



The intellectual and political development of the 

 last half- century has been accompanied by an un- 

 fortunate tendency to belittle the home duties for 

 which women, by their essential nature, are specially 

 responsible. For this tendency men are to blame at 

 least to the same extent as women. Both sexes have 

 failed to appreciate the high honour which should 

 attach to the successful performance of the true 

 womanly duties. To bring forth, nourish, and educate 

 children is, for the future of the race, more important 

 work than any that falls to the lot of man. To regu- 

 late well a household, to keep in order, cleanliness, 

 and health the home, on the comfort of which the 

 welfare of the whole family depends, is highly skilled 

 work, and at least as essential a function in life as 

 man's external profession or political activities. 



The recent demands of certain women for a share 

 in social, political, philanthropic, and educational work 

 are hard to resist, since they are often greatly to the 

 immediate benefit of the community. But it cannot 

 be doubted that the quiet home life necessary for 

 the right birth and management of a large family 

 is incompatible with many external activities, and with 

 the gratification of a desire to seek an apparently larger 

 sphere of immediate work and influence in social, 

 industrial, and political life. 



For young married women, such external activities 

 are a direct menace to the future welfare of the race. 



