252 TABOO AND GENETICS 



emotional life than a happy home environment 

 with the presence of both father and mother. 

 Only in these surroundings, with the love of 

 both parents as a part of the childhood experi- 

 ence, can the emotional reactions of the child 

 be properly conditioned to respond to the social 

 situations of adult life. 



In one respect, at least, society can do a 

 great deal to better the existing situation, and 

 to solve the struggle between the individual and 

 group interests. At the same time that it 

 endeavours to set up emotional responses that 

 shall be conducive to eugenic mating and to a 

 happy love life, as well as for the welfare of the 

 child, it should also leave a wide margin of 

 personal liberty for the individuals concerned to 

 work out a type of sexual relationship which is 

 in harmony with their natural inclinations. The 

 institution of monogamy is too deeply founded 

 in the needs of the individual and of the child 

 to suffer from this increase in freedom and 

 responsibiUty. Were it so frail a thing as to 

 need the protection of the church and state as 

 well as public opinion to insure its survival, 

 it would be so little adapted to the needs of 

 humanity that it might better disappear. 



There are no indications that there would be 

 any wider deviation from the monogamous 

 relationship were variations frankly recognized 

 that now take place in secret. By its present 



