The Man‐Made World
The child is affected first through the retarded development of his mother, then through the arrested condition of home industry; and further through the wrong ideals which have arisen from these conditions. A normal home, where there was human equality
between mother and father, would have a better influence.
We must not overlook the effect of the proprietary family on the proprietor himself. He, too, has been held back somewhat by this reactionary force. In the process of becoming human we must learn
to recognize justice, freedom, human rights; we must learn self-control and to think of others; have minds that grow and broaden rationally; we must learn the broad mutual interservice and unbounded joy of social intercourse and service. The petty despot of the man‐made home is hindered in his humanness by too much manness.
For each man to have one whole woman to cook for and wait upon
him is a poor education for democracy. The boy with a servile mother, the man with a servile wife, cannot reach the sense of equal rights we need to‐day. Too constant consideration of the master‘s tastes makes the master selfish; and the assault upon his heart direct, or through that proverbial side‐avenue, the stomach, which the dependent woman needs must make when she wants anything, is bad for the man, as well as for her.
We are slowly forming a nobler type of family; the union of two, based on love and recognized by law, maintained because of its happiness and use. We are even now approaching a tenderness and
permanence of love, high pure enduring love; combined with the broad deep‐rooted friendliness and comradeship of equals; which promises us more happiness in marriage than we have yet known. It
will be good for all the parties concerned—man, woman and child: and promote our general social progress admirably.
If it needs “a head” it will elect a chairman pro tem. Friendship does not need “a head.” Love does dot need “a head.” Why should a family?