220 BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN PROBLEMS 



If the soundness of this view be admitted, it follows 

 that the grounds for divorce should be of the most 

 weighty nature. It should not suffice that they are 

 the conventional grounds of sexual infidelity of one 

 or other parent. Such infidelity is, of course, ob- 

 jectionable, but is, in some instances, pardonable, 

 in the sense that it has had its origin in exceptional 

 provocation, or under the influence of a temporary 

 misunderstanding between man and wife, or under 

 the influence of alcoholic intoxication or disease. It 

 is possible for either parent to be guilty of such an 

 infidelity and still be a helpful parent and partner. 

 On the other hand, there are offences other than 

 adultery which may fairly be regarded as grounds 

 for divorce. Among them are habitual alcoholism, 

 vagabondage, repeated and vindictive maltreatment, 

 and an entire indifference (whether on the part of 

 the father or the mother) to the welfare of child or 

 children. The situations which arise in consequence 

 of these forms of bad behavior are apt to be complex. 

 Yet in some cases they can be cleared up by impartial 

 and intelligent outside interference. I am inclined 

 to think that a board of judges especially trained for 

 the investigation and adjudication of cases in which 

 divorce is sought would be a distinct help. The 

 men serving in such a court should be trained in 

 the law and, to some degree, in science, but, also, 

 they should be experienced in human affairs, should 

 have large insight into elementary human psychology, 

 and, above all, should bring sympathy and interest 



