The Sexes in Science and History: An inquiry into the dogma of woman's inferiority to manGamble, Eliza Burt
Philosophy
The Sexes in Science and History: An inquiry into the dogma of woman's inferiority to man
Gamble, Eliza Burt
Sex; Women -- History; Women -- Social conditions
Doubtless very many of those engaged in the present European struggle
are actuated by patriotism. They want to maintain the existing
territorial boundaries presided over by their respective rulers. They
desire also to retain the institutions, social, political, economic,
and religious which have grown up under a system where the few control
the many. Evidently the idea of human liberty has not yet dawned upon
them. If universal freedom awaits the birth of the new regime, which
is being heralded by the present upheaval, then it is plain that the
men in the trenches are quite unmindful of the significance of the
conflict in which they are engaged. The belligerent countries of Europe
may consent to a truce and there may be a lull in the universal unrest,
but there will be no genuine peace until the principle of human
liberty has been established on a firm and lasting basis.
That the removal of these superfluous men from their usual vocations
will not materially interfere with the useful industries of Europe is
shown in the fact that although 25,000,000 of them have been called
to the war their withdrawal from the industrial field has not greatly
disturbed the industrial situation, and this too notwithstanding the
fact that many new occupations have been created by the war. The work
formerly done by these men has been largely taken up by women.
It should be borne in mind that under the new conditions which are
approaching, the constructive element developed in human society is
again to assume command over the destructive forces which have been in
control since the beginning of the historic period. As this element has
been confided to women and as it is by them transmitted to offspring,
it is not difficult to forecast the position which the women of the
future will occupy.
The institution of marriage as it now exists will disappear. Only the
most robust among women will propagate the race. These women, as did
the women under early organized society, will choose their mates. They
will exercise absolute control over the sex-functions. Thus will be
avoided the terrible consequences which have resulted from the present
form of marriage.
The numerical preponderance of women over men under the new regime
is probable. Nor will the devastating processes of war be wholly
responsible for this condition. Science informs us that not only among
the lower orders of life but among human beings as well, certain
conditions of nutrition produce more females than males. The more
nutritious and wholesome the food the greater the excess of females
over males. Under higher conditions, when the laws of health and
life are better understood and especially when the subject of proper
nutrition has received the attention which its importance deserves, it
is not unreasonable to suppose that the excess of female births over
those of males will be considerable.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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