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20
[1902
birth-rate. A lowered birth-rate continued for a series of years means an older
population, i.e., a population which on the whole must have a higher death-rate,
other things being equal, than the same population when it was composed of
younger persons. Hence, if it be agreed that a stationary population like that
of France is contrary to our national interests (and there can, I think, be no
difference of opinion on this point, except among a limited few), the reduction
of the birth-rate calls for anxious study.
" The causes of reduced birth-rate are not far to seek. There has been no
commensurate reduction in the marriage-rate. The reduced birth-rate is
caused by a diminished number of children to each marriage, not by diminished
number of marriages. The average age at which marriage takes place
has become rather higher, and this has had some slight influence, but neither
of these causes explains more than a small fraction of the total reduction in
the birth-rate ; nor is there the slighest reason for believing that the potential
fecundity of civilized man is declining. The one chief predominant cause of
the lowered birth-rate is the deliberate prevention of child-bearing. The
public discussion of this subject is repugnant. It needs, however, to be
faced, and all well-wishers of the community should be acquainted with the
real state of matters. Two means of keeping families small are practised : (i)
the production of abortion, (2) the prevention of conception by artificial
means. The former is a criminal offence, and, although occasionally practised,
is in this country only a minor cause of the reduced birth-rate. The practices
involved under the second head have been taught in various pamphlets which
have received a wide circulation, and it is to these practices that we owe the
serious decline of our national birth-rate."
For statistics relating to births, reference should be made to Tables
X., XI. and XII.