228 BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN PROBLEMS 



a course would tend to secure an increased propor- 

 tion of skilled labor; that is, of labor capable of 

 creating a larger per capita yield of wealth. But 

 this is only another way of saying that a share of 

 leisure time would be placed at the disposal of 

 people who now have none. Such a change marks 

 the most significant of all steps toward social better- 

 ment. It does not follow that the newly acquired 

 leisure would be at first well used. Doubtless much 

 of it would, in the beginning, be wasted and abused. 

 But here at least would be that opportunity for 

 improvement without which no nation can advance 

 in general culture and ideals. Time and experimen- 

 tation would afford the chance to use this leisure for 

 better and better purposes, for thought, for the en- 

 joyment of society, and for legitimate amusement. 

 It is exactly at this stage, at the period of awakening 

 interest and desire for self-betterment and family 

 betterment, that the ability to control the size of 

 the family becomes an asset of incalculable value. 

 Where the margin of income above actual needs is 

 small, it makes an enormous difference for the out- 

 look of a family educationally and socially 

 whether there are two or three children to rear, or 

 six. The smaller number is compatible with rea- 

 sonable educational opportunities and a degree of 

 comfort which wards off discouragements of the 

 struggle with outspoken poverty. The larger num- 

 ber almost surely means neglect of some of the chil- 

 dren, and the depression of the prospects of all. 



