A STUDY OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
Among the live questions of the day marriage and divorce are conspicuous. Our ideas, as well as our laws, are undergoing radical changes. Women should certainly be intelligent upon this great subject, and this outline will give them material for at least six meetings upon it.
Begin with an account of marriage in ancient times; follow with the customs of different countries down to the present day. Notice that marriage is distinctly a social institution.
One meeting should raise the question, Upon what should marriage be based? Among other things these three points should be emphasized: it must be based on love; on physical and mental fitness; and upon mutual interests, especially those which center in the children. Negatively, it should not be based upon mere emotion nor upon a desire for wealth or social advantages.
Discuss the relation between grown children and parents in making a marriage-choice; the age for marriage; the so-called international marriages; frivolous marriages, and other points which will readily suggest themselves. Have club members speak of what they consider the conditions for a happy marriage, and the necessity to-day of training all young men and young women for marriage. Notice that as marriage is a social institution, society is bound to safeguard it in every possible way.
Turning to divorce, begin this with a study of its history down to the present time. Follow with a résumé of the laws of divorce in the different countries. Note that America leads the world in the number of its divorces, which are two hundred a day. Give the laws in some of the states; point out that South Carolina gives no divorces, that New York gives them for one cause only; that Indiana gives most of all. Mention some of the evils which arise from the difference of state laws.
One meeting should take the subject of the changing sentiment toward divorce. Ellen Key significantly says that one reason for it is our weak moral fiber, which avoids all unpleasantness. Another cause is undoubtedly the tendency toward individualism. Illustrate with readings from Ibsen's "A Doll's House" at this point. A third cause is the increasing desire for ease and luxury and pleasure of all kinds, which makes a man or woman leave one environment for another which promises more. Have papers or talks on these themes:
Shall divorce be free where love has gone? Read from Ellen Key.
Should divorce be given on other than statutory cause? If so, on what?
Does separation take the place of divorce in most cases?