CHAPTER VIII. 



OBLIGATION IN PARENTHOOD 



OUR conclusion, based on the evidence detailed in 

 the preceding chapters, has been that our race, 

 viewed from a physiological standpoint, is not on the 

 way towards improvement. 



I do not feel that this is an alarmist view of the 

 question, even though it points in the direction of 

 both the physical and intellectual degeneration of 

 our countrymen. It is a view based upon facts, and 

 forced upon us by the knowledge of our surroundings 

 gained impartially in other fields. Still, all social 

 problems are of extreme complexity, and one must 

 not lay too much stress upon any individual effort 

 to gauge them. It will be sufficient for all practical 

 purposes if attention has been drawn to these ques- 

 tions, and a serious inquiry started. 



It may be urged that, after all, the fears expressed 

 are groundless in view of other facts not understood, 

 and that humanity, if left to itself, will continue for 

 another few thousand years making no important 

 change in its innate racial qualities. But even if 



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