TABOO AND GENETICS 235 



the economic returns. He can never afford to 

 sacrifice financial gain for personal recognition, 

 because of his obligation to provide for his family. 

 Thus it happens that marriage often presents 

 a situation in which no outlet for personal 

 ambitions is possible and the egoistic desires 

 and emotions must be sternly repressed. There 

 is therefore an increasing hesitancy on the part 

 of the men of to-day to assume responsibilities 

 so grave and involving so much personal sacrifice. 

 It is evident from even such a casual inquiry 

 as this, that there are many facts of individual 

 psychology which have not been taken into 

 account by society in the development of the 

 mores which govern the sexual relationships 

 of its members. The traditional institution of 

 the family, which would shape all women into 

 model wives and mothers, has neglected to con- 

 sider the fact that not all women are biologically 

 adapted for these particular activities. The 

 choice of a mate which is determined by irra- 

 tional and unconscious motives may or may 

 not prove to be a wise selection, as we have 

 seen in the course of our discussion. Most 

 significant of all for the social problem of sex, 

 is the overwhelming tendency to individuation 

 which is making both men and women frankly 

 question whether marriage and parenthood are 

 worth while when they involve so much personal 

 sacrifice. 



