Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
Death Of the British Middle Class.

Death OF the British Middle Class.
The Medical Corrsspondent" Of
the London Times sees the end Of
the British middle classes" near at
hand. not because Of bolshevism or
anything like that. but from re-
striction Of birth rate, due to birth
control ana failure Of young mon to
wed. He discourses on the topic In
the following fashion:
All over the country the decline
in the birth rate appears to be pur-
suing its course irrespective OF the
end Of the war. The most recent
report on this subject, that of the
medical officer Of health for Ches-
ter, states that in 1918 there were
1$2 fewer births In Cheshire than
in 1917. The rate for the country
10 now 1873 per 1000 of estimated
population. That for England and
Wales Is 17.7, and for London. 16.1.
When We compare these figures
with the birth rate for the 10-year
period, 1901-1910, we find that this
latter was 27.2 per 1000 persons
living. In the period 1S51-1910. 1t
is true the death rate fell by 80 per
cent. A large proportion of the fall
is to be ascribed to the reduction of
the infant death rate and to mea-
sures of public hygiene. The result
has been that, especially among the
very poor, the falling birth rate has
been to some extent compensated
for.
It is this point which requires to
be emphasized at the moment, for
unless it be appreciated the true
significance of the situation will be
missed. Falling birth rate has been
compensated for by falling death
rate among the working and indus
trial classes, In which, notoriously,
the annual gain and loss were very
high 80 years ago. But that state
Of matters does not prevail in the
middle classes of the country. Their
birth rate Is falling rapidly; their
death rate, never very high. Is not
falling and cannot fall rapidly. Thus
tho middle classes are sinking In
the matter OF population. We are
witnessing what can be described
without exaggeration as the death
Of the middle classes.
Statistics az between classes are
medical men forms a safe guide.
That testimony Is heavily in favor
of the idea that during the past 10
years, and especially during the past
three years, middle class births have
been a rapidly diminishing quantity.
The family Of four. or five has be-
come the family Of two or three,
and is in process of becoming the
family Of one. A great number of
young couples now openly declare
that they do not intend to have more
than one child, and, many decide |
to have no children at all. Every |
MEDICAL man is able to corroborate |
these facts. and many medical men
are consulted on the question OF J
birth prevention.
It Is easy to blame these young !
people, but 1t Is very Improbable |
to do so. The. fact is, that with the |
present cost Of living, the present !
the present price OF houses. |
a family" as that term used to be |
is impossible. 1t means |
not discomfort, but privation, with |
deterioration OF health. |
It is, therefore, felt to be better to |
bring up one healthy child and at
ford 1t a reasonable education than |
to attempt to bring UP three chill
dren on insufficient food and with
out the hope of being able to afford |
them a training for their life's work.
But the mischief, does not stop |
there by any means. The marriage /
rate has also fallen. In 1917 1t
was 1873 per 1000 of the popula-
ton at all ages. This rate was the
lowest hitherto recorded in this
country, being IL below that OF
1916 and &c below the average rate
Of the quinquennium 1911-19l5.>
Early in the war, 1915. a maximum
was reached at 1e.4per 1000. 1t is
common knowledge that marriages,
and especially middle, class mar
riages, are being postponed at pres
ent on account of housing and food
and there can be no
doubt that many men are avoiding
altogether because of the
severe financial strain which 1t I'M
poses The world IS In gay mood;
the attractions of domestic life on q,
salary barely enough for two are not
AS u bachelor, man
may indulge his tastes, preserve his
freedom Of action, and can afford
to amuse himself with his friends.
He shrinks from the alternative Of
stern hard work, frugal living. a
minimum of pleasure as that word