Searchlights on Health: The Science of EugenicsJefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Philosophy
Searchlights on Health: The Science of Eugenics
Jefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage; Medicine, Popular; Sexual ethics
5. BREACH OF CONFIDENCE.--Nothing is more certain, says Dr. Naphey,
to undermine domestic felicity, and sap the foundation of marital
happiness, than marital infidelity. The risks of disease which a
married man runs in impure intercourse are far more serious, because
they not only involve himself, but his wife and his children. He
should know that there is nothing which a woman will not forgive
sooner than such a breach of confidence. He is exposed to the plots
and is pretty certain sooner or later to fall into the snares of those
atrocious parties who subsist on black-mail. And should he escape
these complications, he still must lose self-respect, and carry about
with him the burden of a guilty conscience and a broken vow.
6. SOCIETY RULES AND CUSTOMS.--A young man can enjoy the society
of ladies without being a "flirt." He can escort ladies to parties,
public places of interest, social gatherings, etc., without showing
special devotion to any one special young lady. When he finds the
choice of his heart, then he will be justified to manifest it,
and publicly proclaim it by paying her the compliment, exclusive
attention. To keep a lady's company six months is a public
announcement of an engagement.
* * * * *
A WORD TO MAIDENS.
1. NO YOUNG LADY who is not willing to assume the responsibility of a
true wife, and be crowned with the sacred diadem of motherhood, should
ever think of getting married. We have too many young ladies to-day
who despise maternity, who openly vow that they will never be burdened
with children, and yet enter matrimony at the first opportunity. What
is the result? Let echo answer, What? Unless a young lady believes
that motherhood is noble, is honorable, is divine, and she is willing
to carry out that sacred function of her nature, she had a thousand
times better refuse every proposal, and enter some honorable
occupation and wisely die an old maid by choice.
2. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOUNG LADY, never enter into the physical
relations of marriage with a man until you have conversed with him
freely and fully on these relations. Learn distinctly his views and
feelings and expectations in regard to that purest and most ennobling
of all the functions of your nature, and the most sacred of all
intimacies of conjugal love. Your self-respect, your beauty, your
glory, your heaven, as a wife, will be more directly involved in his
feelings and views and practices, in regard to that relation, than in
all other things. As you would not become a weak, miserable, imbecile,
unlovable and degraded wife and mother, in the very prime of your
life, come to a perfect understanding with your chosen one, ere you
commit your person to his keeping in the sacred intimacies of home.
Beware of that man who, under pretence of delicacy, modesty, and
propriety, shuns conversation with you on this relation, and on the
hallowed function of maternity.
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