242 TABOO AND GENETICS 



men, since it involves greater sacrifices in their 

 case on account of their biological specialization 

 for motherhood. It appears, therefore, that 

 we are losing the best parental material for the 

 coming generations on both the paternal and 

 maternal sides. Thus the conflict between the 

 egoistic desires and the social institution of the 

 family is segregating just those energetic, suc- 

 cessful individuals from whom the race of the 

 future should spring if we hope to reproduce a 

 social organism capable of survival in the inter- 

 group struggle. 



If it be true that the best stock, both male and 

 female, for various reasons refuses to assume 

 the duty of reproduction, the group will neces- 

 sarily be replaced from individuals of average 

 and inferior (but not superior) eugenic value. 

 Even within these limits there is at present no 

 conscious eugenic selection, and the irrational 

 and unconscious motives which govern sexual 

 selection at the present time may induce the 

 choice of a mate from among the weaker 

 individuals. Once again it becomes a matter of 

 chance whether or not the matings prove to be 

 for the welfare of the group and of the race. 



It might be contended that the very fact that 

 certain individuals withdraw from reproductive 

 activities is sufficient proof of their lack of 

 normal emotional reactions adapting them to 

 the performance of those functions. But a 



