THE CYCLE OF SEX 137 



successful upbringing of children is on that 

 ground alone to be judged the best. There 

 can be no doubt that in the most advanced 

 societies of the industrial type, children have 

 the best chance where they get the undivided 

 attention of both parents. We find here the 

 root of the whole matter. Whatever super- 

 structure of convention and law and senti- 

 ment may have been built up on the relations 

 of the sexes, the corner-stone must always be 

 the well-being of the next generation. Directly 

 or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously, 

 this paramount consideration will force its 

 influence backward on the institutions of 

 every community. Where it is ignored or 

 inadequately realised the penalty will be 

 decay and possibly extinction, while those 

 societies which are most impressed by its 

 significance will be the torch-bearers of 

 progress." 



The subject of happiness in married life 

 is obviously too large and complex for treat- 

 ment here, but three notes may be per- 

 mitted 



(a) Much has been made of the diversity of 

 the sexes and the inevitableness of antagon- 

 ism. Thus Heape writes 



" It is not only the Feminine mind which is 

 different from the Male mind ; it is the whole 

 Female organisation, her inclinations, feelings, 

 and intuitions which are different. It is the 

 woman's biolog-' al necessities, and all the 

 various forces wn^ch conduce to their satis- 

 faction, which, though complementary to 

 those of the man for a period in their joint 

 lives, are quite different from, and eventually 



