CHAPTER LIV
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the primary purpose of marriage?—While there are several subordinate reasons for marriage, the one paramount reason is that of having and rearing a family. The only admissible reason for not having children is positive incapacity or mental and physical unfitness.
How many children should there be to a family?—The number should vary according to circumstances. Every child has an incontrovertible right to be well born and to be well cared for after he is born. It is far better to have three to six children, who have good heredity and who are properly cared for and trained, than to have ten or twelve unfortunately born and largely neglected. Where the parents are both strong and healthy and are able to support them, a large family is commendable.
Is it wrong purposely to limit the size of the family?—If no laws are violated and the limitation is made to safeguard the wife’s health and the best interests of the children, there can be no wrong done.
Does nature use any safeguards to the wife’s health and the right of children?—She does. The woman is sterile before puberty, after the change of life, in most cases during the period while nursing a child, and a few days between the menses.
At what periods during the month is a wife most likely to become a mother?—Just before or after the menses.
What would be a natural method of regulating the size of the family?—Have sexual relations for procreation only, or for a few days only, about midway between monthly periods.
Is the last always safe?—No. Impregnation with this precaution might occur, but it would be rare. If a woman’s menses are irregular, or if she ovulates at one time and menstruates at another, she would be likely to become pregnant at any time. This last case is very rare among women.
Are there other methods used?—Yes, but none of them can be recommended. They are unnatural. They violate nature. Those who use them suffer sooner or later. One of the most common is that of withdrawal. This has all the bad effects of the secret sin on both husband and wife. Injections and the use of artificial contrivances, while in some cases appearing to violate the laws of health but slightly, lead to excess and thereby become morally and physically wrong. In this way tumors, ulcers and other physical ailments and poor health may be produced.
What are some of the evil effects of over child bearing?—Among feeble wives, much of womb diseases can be traced to this. Puny, sickly and short-lived children are other results. Then there are some women who suffer greatly during pregnancy and each time their lives are endangered.