Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-01
MATRIMOHY ON TRIAL
IF Unsuited, Quit 1t, Advises Mrs.
Elsie Clews Parsons.
STARTLING REFORMS ADVOCATED


Is Neither Sacrament Nor Property
Holdfns-wRnts Brides Educated.
Views OF CIerEymen and Others
Who Condemn Mrs. Parsons The
Ory--why One Woman Favors IL.
Try marriage. and II the prospect is
not bright for permanency break It
of IN the absence OF offspring. ana
you viii suffer no great degree OF pub
lie condemnation. II the experiment
proves successful, the bonds may be
continued for an indefinite period.
This rather striking view Of matrl-
mony is taken by Mrs. Elsie Clews
Parsons. wife Of Representative Her
bert Parsons. chairman Of the Repub-
lean county committee. ami daughter
OF Henry Clews, banker. In a book en-
titled The Fgmily.' says the New
York Herald.
No more radical declaration from the
pen Of an author relating to matri-
Iony has been published Mrs. Par
sons favors the abolition OF all laws
ventures and believes that remarriage
should be encouraged. One OF the
most pointed paragraphs IN the coming
book reads:
1t would, therefore. seem well from
this point OF view 90 encourage early
trial marriages. the relation 20 be en-
tered into with view 10 permanency,
but with the privilege OF breaking 1t
n proved unsuccessful and. In the alb
sence OF offspring. without suffering
any great degree OF public condemna-
ton"
Mrs. Parsons is a doctor OF phiIOso-
ply and lectured FOR several years on
sociology I'm Barnard college. Her book
Is really n lecture TO elementary stu
dents In sociology and Is Intended to
enlghten those who pursue a study OF
sociological problems. IL Is a fearless
treatise Of n question at which the
author believes tlmorous dllettanu will
look askance. but she recommends the
idea nevertheless to home reading cir
cles which are attended by young wo-
men OF college age.
THE dogma that marriage is an un-
questionable sacrament" the author
declares. "and the dictum that It is
merely survival Of a past form OF
property holding are both shams."
She further states:
''If individualism and altruism are 10
be reconciled I'm the view that child
bearing and rearing are the most I'm
portant OF all social services the de
STABILITY OF change In many social re
lations In and out OF the family will
have to be frankly faced and, II neces-
sary, new adaptations must be wei
coined. Might IL not be well TO en-
body In marriage licenses data about
the personal health and character OF
the bride ard groom. likewise GER
tihcate OF the brides previous training
in child care?
'Such n record would be a partial
proof OF the matrimonial eligibility or
noueligibllity OF the license holder. 4
favorable record would entlte the
holder TO a place upon the matrimonial
white list. In all civilizations divorce
is increasing. A large majority OF 81
vorces are obtained by women. legal
causes Tor divorce tend TO multiply"
Mrs. Parsons, intending THE Fam
lily" as a text book for students in col
leges, declares that inquiry. preacha
and. for that matter, contempt breed
ing knowledge are dangerous Ge5ri
choking up possible outlets for a stream
of progressive and inspiring moral the
Dry" Mrs. Parsons believes that sue
cessful child rearing is an important
service 10 society. After showing that
men and women bent upon marriage
In the past gave no thought to society's
welfare the author says that she per
ceives a changing tendency in modern
times
There are signs already" she an
nounces, "Of the spread OF the idea
that the individual is bound TO consider
the effects upon society OF his or her
marriage. individuals tainted by cpl
lepsy, insanity. inebrity, deaf-muteism.
etc, are thought by many to be moral
ly guilty II they marry.
There Is a growing realization Of the
cost to the state OF reproduction by its
diseased OF vicious subjects and grow
ing inclination to prevent these classes
from reproducing themselves.
IF the biological knowledge OF the
future throws more light upon the
present day mysteries OF heredlty-
demonstrating the disastrous results OF
the making OF those handicapped by
minor rs well rs 10y more fragrant taints
or lacks-the social obligations in mar
rage will be held more and more con
siderable The social demand FOR the
possession OF progressive traits. phys
zeal, moral and mental. as well as lack
OF disease on the part Of child bearers
and begetters, will exert more and
more pressure upon the individual.
Eugenics. as Professor Gallon sug
gests. VIII become a religious dogma.
'"rhe relation between married per
sons should be that best fitting them
for their task OF parenthood. II should
be one allowing for full development
OF their natures. for NIL their capablli-
ties should be taxed In their roll Of
parsnthood. II Is unfortunate that In