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1925
25
generally inferior both in physique and mental capacity. Many
social workers expected the problem to be solved by the introduction
of artificial methods of conception control, assuming that those
least able to support a family would most readily avail themselves
of the methods. Possibly this was the opinion of the members of
the Edmonton Council when they circularised other Councils for
support, but no propaganda will reach the class which it is intended
to reach. The poorest and most ignorant of the population have
not shown the necessary intelligence and prudence to use the
methods effectively, whereas they are increasingly used by people
whose children would be a national asset.
The following figures may be of interest as showing the difference
which exists in the size of the families of the unskilled labourer and
skilled artizan. All the figures were obtained in the course of
inquiries into births which occurred in 1925, and the figure in the
first column refers to the number of families, and the figure in the
second column refers to the number of children born in the family.
For instance, in the case of unskilled labourers, of the births inquired
into, in 38 instances it was the first child, and in one instance it
was the 22nd child:—
Unskilled Labourers. Fitters.
38 families 1st child 8 families 1st child
46 „ 2nd „ 1 „ 2nd „
30 „ 3rd „ 1 „ 3rd „
28 „ 4th „ 1 „ 4th „
21 „ 5th „ 1 „ 5th „
10 „ 6th „
9 „ 7th „ Railway men.
7 ,, 8th „ 8 families 1st child
3 ,, 9th ,, 11 „ 2nd
6 ,, 10th „ 2 „ 3rd „
3 ,, llth ,, 2 „ 4th „
1 ,, 12th ,, 1 „ 5th „
1 ,, 13th ,, 3 „ 6th „
1 „ 14th „
1 „ 22nd „