206 THEODORE RUSSELL ROBIE 



the situation should convince anyone that if we go on propagating accord- 

 ing to the rules in force at present, there must result a decrease in the quality 

 of our racial stock. The reason for this lies in the fact that the lowered birth 

 rate centers around the more intelligent portion of the population, while the 

 inferior and mentally defective portions of the population are continuing to 

 propagate at the same rapid rate as formerly. In fact studies have shown 

 only too graphically that the super-intellectual group per se is not propagat- 

 ing fast enough to maintain itself, while the former is multiplying itself' 

 almost threefold. It is recognized that the use of contraceptive methods by 

 the intelligent portion of the population is improving the physical and men- 

 tal caliber of the individuals born into this group because of the better phy- 

 sique of the mother who undergoes pregnancy less frequently than was the 

 case in previous generations. But it is also recognized that it is this intelli- 

 gent portion of the population that is having fewer children than in previous 

 generations. Because of the fact that the ^intelligent portion of the popu- 

 lation are continuing to propagate at the same rapid rate as formerly (which 

 means they will increase in proportion to the population at large) and since 

 they cannot be brought to use contraceptive methods because of ignorance 

 and disinterest, it becomes evident that we need sterilization (of defectives) 

 as a measure for protecting and perpetuating the human betterment brought 

 about through the improvement wrought in the intelligent portion. 



In England studies show that the average number of offspring in defective 

 families is twice as great (7.4 per family) as the number of offspring in 

 families of average intelligence (3.7 per family). One student has calculated 

 that with our present rate of increase, in three generations the average and 

 superior intellectual portion of the population will not be maintaining itself 

 (that is: 1,000 average or superior individuals now living will then be 

 replaced by only 687 others), while the feeble minded and degenerate type 

 will have multiplied itself over three and one half times (that is: 1,000 de- 

 fectives now living will then be replaced by 3,600 others). 



In our own country a study made of the marital history of graduates of 

 the leading colleges made by Mr. Henry R. Carey brings to light some very 

 interesting but most alarming facts. Statistics show that of all the women 

 in the nation over 15 years of age, 72.5 per cent were married (1920). But 

 of the graduates of leading women's colleges this percentage was much lower 

 ranging from 55 per cent down to 41 per cent (Vassar 55.5 per cent — 1928; 

 Smith 50.1 per cent— 1926; Bryn Mawr 48.1 per cent— 1928; Barnard 41.8 

 per cent — 1925). In another table we find that out of a group of exception- 

 ally distinguished women alumnae (average age 53) only 20 per cent were 



