The lesson has not been altogether in vain. It is furnishing a new stimulus to those who are working for the increase of knowledge, and of practical action based on knowledge, among the masses, the masses who alone possess the power to change the force of the world for good or for evil, and by growth in wisdom to raise the human race on to a higher level. That is why the little book by Margaret Sanger, whose right to speak with authority on these matters we all recognize, cannot be too widely read. To the few who think, though they may here and there differ on points of detail, it is all as familiar as A. B. C. But to the millions who rule the world it is not familiar, and still less to the handful of superior persons whom the masses elect to supreme positions. Therefore, let this book be read; let it be read by every man and woman who can read. And the sooner it is not only read but acted on, the better for the world. HAVELOCK ELLIS. * * * * * * CONTENTS CHAPTER I WOMAN'S ERROR AND HER DEBT II WOMAN'S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM III THE MATERIAL OF THE NEW RACE IV TWO CLASSES OF WOMEN V THE WICKEDNESS OP CREATING LARGE FAMILIES VI CRIES OF DESPAIR VII WHEN SHOULD A WOMAN AVOID HAVING CHILDREN? VIII BIRTH CONTROL--A PARENTS' PROBLEM OR WOMAN'S? IX CONTINENCE--IS IT PRACTICABLE OR DESIRABLE? X CONTRACEPTIVES OR ABORTION? XI ARE PREVENTIVE MEANS CERTAIN? XII WILL BIRTH CONTROL HELP THE CAUSE OF LABOR? XIII BATTALIONS OF UNWANTED BABIES THE CAUSE OF WAR XIV WOMAN AND THE NEW MORALITY XV LEGISLATING WOMAN'S MORALS XVI WHY NOT BIRTH CONTROL CLINICS IN AMERICA? XVII PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE XVIII THE GOAL * * * * * * WOMAN AND THE NEW RACE * * * * * CHAPTER I WOMAN'S ERROR AND HER DEBT The most far-reaching social development of modern times is the revolt of woman against sex servitude. The most important force in the remaking of the world is a free motherhood. Beside this force, the elaborate international programmes of modern statesmen are weak and superficial. Diplomats may formulate leagues of nations and nations may pledge their utmost strength to maintain them, statesmen may dream of reconstructing the world out of alliances, hegemonies and spheres of influence, but woman, continuing to produce explosive populations, will convert these pledges into the proverbial scraps of paper; or she may, by controlling birth, lift motherhood to the plane of a voluntary, intelligent function, and remake the world. When the world is thus remade, it will exceed the dream of statesman, reformer and revolutionist. Only in recent years has woman's position as the gentler and weaker half of the human family been emphatically and generally questioned. Men assumed that this was woman's place; woman herself accepted it. It seldom occurred to anyone to ask whether she would go on occupying it forever.