SEX AND SOCIAL RELATIONS 223 



stood that the regulation of the size of human 

 families does not present great difficulties where the 

 parents are fruitful. Over the sex of children there 

 is, at present, no control, despite the many claims 

 to the contrary. All attempts to influence sex after 

 conception has occurred are, of course, quite futile 

 in view of the fact, already stated with sufficient 

 clearness, that sex is determined at the instant of 

 fertilization. The control over the numbers of a 

 family is, on the contrary, considerable. It is 

 naturally much easier to make certain of having a 

 small family than of having a large one. Although 

 it is, in general, true that during the intermenstrual 

 period there are a few days during which conception 

 seldom occurs, it is also true that there is no time 

 between puberty and the menopause at which impreg- 

 nation may not occur in a normal woman. So it is 

 evident that while there is usually little risk of con- 

 ception during some intermenstrual days, this does 

 not suffice to make conjugation without an element 

 of risk of impregnation. So, in order to be quite 

 certain that there will be no additions to a family, 

 there must either be a total abstinence from sexual 

 relations or a resort to artificial means of prevent- 

 ing conception. The former course is one that is not 

 likely ever to be looked on with favor, and is, in fact, 

 unreasonable. On the other hand, it is possible to 

 prevent conception by artificial methods which are 

 not open to objection on the ground of endanger- 

 ing physical health. Even the thought of resort to 



