Debate on birth control. Margaret Sanger and Winter RussellSanger, Margaret
History
Debate on birth control. Margaret Sanger and Winter Russell
Sanger, Margaret
Birth control -- Moral and ethical aspects
We talk about self-control. I think none of us who look on the world
know there is self-control. No one delves in self-control. That is one
of the finest human instincts there is. When you see hungry people going
around with plenty of food in front of them, I think there is
self-control in the world. (Applause.)
And don’t forget that this self-control—and I would like to ask anyone
to contradict it that a man and woman may be ever so self-controlled and
if they are married and live in marriage relationship—that it only means
one embrace or one union to have a baby every year. The most
self-controlled man and woman in the world can still have a family that
that man can’t take care of. That is something to remember.
On the other hand, if we mean, and if Mr. Russell would only talk so
that we can understand him—plainly—I have to tell you what he means as a
matter of fact. If Mr. Russell means that this relationship between man
and woman should only be for procreation, then that is another matter. I
wish he would say so. If it means you are going to have two children,
then only two times in your life you should have union—that’s another
question. But our marriage laws are not based on that law. And it would
have to be a strict understanding before a woman married, before that
union or that companionship or relationship could take place. I have no
objection whatsoever to any individuals who wish to live that way.
But I am speaking for the millions of women who are crushed with over
child-bearing, whose lives are broken and who have become drudges in the
family today. I am speaking for mothers and the individual here, and
there does not concern me in the least. They may be an exception, but I
know there are millions and millions of women who are married, who are
just as self-controlled as anyone Mr. Russell can show us, who are
living in terror of pregnancy, but they have men who are just as good to
them. Men are not all beasts. These people give you an idea that men are
a lustful, beastly creature, looking to violate some woman’s virtue. I
wonder why a man does not stand up against that. They never do. It takes
a woman to stand up for them. I know that most of the women that I have
lived with—their husbands are men who are just as considerate and decent
as anyone you can find. They are trapped in ignorance. That is what is
the matter.
Our whole sexual education has been at fault. We have been kept in
blinders. We have been taught that this relationship is a vital,
terrible thing—put it out of your hearts. However a marriage certificate
is placed in your hands and Presto! everything is supposed to be made
beautiful. (Applause and laughter.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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