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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Birth Control Review
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Organization
British National Birth-Rate Commission
International Neo-Malthusian and Birth Control Conference, 6th
British House of Lords
American Birth Control League
English National Council of Public Morals,
Person
Porritt, Annie Goodrich
Dawson, Bertrand E.
Boyd, Mary Sumner
George V (England)
Place
United States
Europe
United Kingdom
Publication
Bible
Text
Any textual data included in the document
<div>
<h4>EDITORIAL</h4>
<p>Lord Dawson of Penn, physician to the King of England,
has with incisive courage again come forward as one of the most authoritative champions of Birth Control. In his recent evidence given before the
national Birth Rate Commission set
up by the English National Council of Public Morals, Lord Dawson roundly denounced the current hypocrisy
of the churches and made a strong plea for sex love as essential to a happy normal life. Sex love, asserted Lord Dawson of Penn, is and should be
the physical expression of a lasting affection, cementing the unity in marriage of spirit, mind and body. "<span class="DAWBE">The right view is that
sex love has, apart from parenthood, a purpose of its own. It is something to prize and cherish for its own sake. It is an essential
part of health and happiness in marriage.</span></p>
<p><span class="DAWBE">Without the physical desire and its periodic satisfaction for its own
sake, the union is a poor spiritless thing, feebly cemented-without glow or fire.
Sexual union under proper conditions makes for health. When love has come and men
and women are united in marriage, sexual intercourse is right and desirable,
provided both parties are fit.</span>" There is nothing shocking in these simple truths
so courageously stated. But there is something supremely fine and noble in a man who
dares to state such simple wholesome truths in an unfaltering voice to his nation and to
the world, as Lord Dawson has so courageously done.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Lord Dawson has the insight to recognize that there can be no substantial
happiness in marriage without the recognition and acceptance of the ethics of Birth
Control. By Birth Control he means what we all mean that the conception of children
should be a matter of choice, not chance. The regulation of childbirths is being brought
about, in the opinion of Lord Dawson, by these factors (1) increasing density of
population, (2) increasing sense of the value of child-life and of the responsibility of
parenthood, (3) the desire of parents to equip to the very best of their ability their
children, both in body and mind, (4) the social and domestic difficulties in the homes
of growing numbers, (5) the desire of increasing numbers of women for a larger share in
the work and the interests of the world--a share they cannot take if enslaved to
unceasing and involuntary maternity. Church authorities, continued the physician to the
king, have evaded the real problem. They have counseled restraint and abstinence. At
times they apologize for sex-love, at times they seem to ignore this dominating force.
"<span class="DAWBE">That is the moving force</span>," to quote further from Lord Dawson's
evidence--"<span class="DAWBE">and man glorifies in its possession. Why not take account
of it? Why not give it its place? Why apologize for it? Mere statements that it is
immoral, is contrary to the teachings of Christianity, or is condemned by the <span class="book">Bible</span>,
will only bring disrepute on those who make them and especially among the young, who matter most.</span>" Bravo!
Lord Dawson of Penn! Our only regret is that there are no men in public life in America
courageous enough to speak so openly on the legitimacy of sex love
and its importance to the individual and the nation and the world at large.</p>
<p>It is especially gratifying to the directors of the American Birth Control
League that Lord Dawson's pronouncement is an agreement with our stated
policies and program. This agreement with our principles is doubly satisfying not only
because Lord Dawson of Penn is one of the most distinguished medical authorities of
Great Britain, but his position as a legislator in the
House of Lords gives emphasis and
authority to his opinions. Discussion of the principles and the methods of Birth
Control, he says, should be kept separate. The methods of Birth Control should be set
forth by the scientists whom they properly concern. This position is that of the
American Birth Control League and determines our program, both practical and
legislative. We hold that laws should be revised to enable the physician to work in
clinics. Lord Dawson, whose reported evidence before the English Birth Rate Commission
shows every sign of deep and clear thinking upon Birth Control and all its allied
problems, has arrived at the same conclusion. On the other hand, he realizes as we do
that the great broad principles of the doctrine, which touch at every point the
fundamental problems of humanity, must be openly and frankly and seriously
discussed.</p>
<p>Plans for the Sixth International Birth Control Conference
are under way. Supporters of Birth Control in many countries are expressing their desire to attend. But the poverty
of Europe, which affects both individuals and organizations makes it very
doubtful whether some of these delegates can get here unless the American Birth Control League can pay part of their expenses. The International
should not be deprived of these men and women for money reasons. For our benefit and for theirs we must have them. But
to have them we must have funds. OUR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FUND must be sufficient to
provide not only the general expenses of the Conference but to help bring foreign
delegates over. We ask our readers to contribute to this fund and to urge their friends
to contribute. A coupon for this purpose is to be found on the news section of the
REVIEW.</p>
<p>With profound regret we announce the resignation of Mrs. Annie G. Porritt
as managing editor of THE BIRTH CONTROL REVIEW. For the past two years Mrs. Porritt has fulfilled this difficult post with untiring
energy, devotion and keen intelligence. Under her editorial direction, THE REVIEW has
assumed an added dignity. Especially from our English friends have we received much
praise for the appearance and tone of the magazine under the editorial guidance of Mrs.
Porritt. We take this opportunity of expressing our gratitude to Mrs. Porritt for her
always conscientious and cheerful co-operation with the hope that her much-needed rest
will restore her without delay to the best of health. We regret the loss of Mrs. Porritt
as managing editor. Her successor is Mrs. Mary Sumner
Boyd.
</p>
</div>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Birth Control Review
Dawson, Bertrand E.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Margaret Sanger
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1925-01-00
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
msp#422031
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<span class="journal"><span class="italics">Birth Control Review</span></span>, Jan. 1925, pp. 3-4
Subject
The topic of the resource
birth control--as a term
birth control--religion and
birth control--opposition to
birth control laws and legislation--MS on
conferences--International Neo-Malthusian and Birth Control Conference--1925 (6th)
England--birth control in
marriage--and birth control
sex and sexuality--and love
sex and sexuality--and marriage
Title
A name given to the resource
Editorial
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Published article
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Birth Control Review
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Law
Constock Law
Organization
St. Paul's Cathedral,
Protestant Episcopal Church,
Person
Inge, William Ralph
Lord Dawson of Penn
Barnes, Ernest William
Marion, Kitty
Comstock, Anthony
Place
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Brighton, England,
London, England
United States
Europe
England
Publication
Birth Control Review,
BIRTH CONTROL REVIEW
Text
Any textual data included in the document
<div>
<h4>Editorials</h4>
<p>The daily papers this month have given widespread publicity to the report of a committee of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, convening in New Orleans which condemns the theory and practice of Birth Control
as <span class="PEC">"hostile to the family.</span>" The committee presenting this report was composed of six bishops, two clergymen and a lay delegate. While the account published by
the daily press is fragmentary and no adequate answer is possible until the full report is at hand, there is evident a painful lack of clear, constructive or courageous
thinking. The attitude of this committee is a familiar one-glib condemnation of contraception, and an equally thoughtless insistence upon <span class="PEC">the paramount
importance of deliberate and thoughtful self-control.</span> As for the "unfit" and mentally defective the committee urges the enactment of state legislation forbidding the
marriage of such persons.</p>
<p>It would be manifestly unfair to enlightened members of the Episcopalian clergy to accept this report as representative of the best opinion of the Protestant church
concerning Birth Control. Readers of these pages will recall the recent courageous sermon delivered in Brighton, England, by the
Bishop of Birmingham, in which that leader of religious thought pointed out that Birth Control is not only
consistent with the fundamental tenets of Christian ethics, but that in the present situation of the world community, with its chaos and conflict, it is moreover the
imperative duty of every thoughtful Christian courageously to participate in our battle for individual and racial regeneration. It is not necessary to reiterate here the
courageous words of William Ralph Inge, the Very Reverend Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral,
London. Nor is it necessary to recall that ever-growing list of enlightened and brave members of the Episcopal clergy who
have come out without subterfuge or equivocation in defence of contraception.</p>
<p>Birth Control, as anyone who has taken the trouble to probe beneath the surface of the marriage problem knows, is not inimical to the best interests of marital or family
relations. On the contrary Birth Control, as Lord Dawson of Penn so vigorously pointed out to the Bishops of England in an assemblage not
unlike the recent convention at New Orleans, is one of the first requisites to happy marriage. The consummation of marriage effected without fear and the establishment of
a creative, life-giving, joyful relationship between the husband and wife--such are the foundations upon which permanent monogamy is established. Only thus can the divorce
"evil" be combatted and cured in any constructive fashion. And likewise only by Birth Control--the instrument which empowers parents to determine when
and where and under what conditions they shall bring children into this world--can permanent, happy, healthy, wholesome family relations be established. These facts are so "idiotically obvious" that it
must bore the readers of the <span class="journal">BIRTH CONTROL REVIEW</span> to find them repeated here. But it is precisely these axioms of racial
hygiene which have been overlooked by the high dignitaries of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who are crying aloud against the marriage of mental defectives and for stricter
divorce laws.</p>
<p>The position against Birth Control evidenced in the committee's report is obstructive. It stands in the path of progress--the progress of the splendid awakening within the
ranks of the Protestant clergy which may be observed on all sides. The younger men are coming to see that in this great twentieth century task of human liberation and racial
rebirth, the Church cannot afford to assume an attitude of arrogant paternalism. The clergy, as the finer more courageous churchmen well realize, must descend from its throne,
must join the ranks, and battle for the Lord in tangible concrete effort, translating its religious and ethical truths into contemporary human terms. And first of all, and last
of all, it must learn to understand human nature. In understanding, the Protestant Episcopal Church will no longer condemn it, but lead it onward toward the City of God.</p>
<p>Education in contraceptive hygiene will, we believe, be gradually disseminated. It will spread so gradually, so quietly and withal so steadily that even those of us most profoundly
interested may never know the full extent of our influence. To aid in this dissemination one of our main tasks must be to remove the most outstanding obstacles in the path of this
beneficient stream. For the first time we are extending our work this year to campaign for an amendment to the notoriously obstructive Section 211 of the
Federal Penal Code. This is the ignominious law passed in 1878 under the influence of Anthony Comstock. It has never been
amended. The most lamentable effect of Section 211 is that it hinders the free circulation among reputable physicians and scientists of data and technical information concerning
the progress of contraceptive science abroad and at home. In Europe the results of clinical research are given out to physicians and scientists
working in the same fields of investigation. Splendid work is accomplished, and investigators are kept in touch with the achievements of colleagues in other countries.</p>
<p>Lamentably, the reports of clinical research in contraception, as well as all discoveries and improvements in the instrument of Birth Control are refused transmission
by the United States mails. Thus an obsolete law, enacted under the sinister regime of the prurient Comstock, stands in the path of scientific and humane progress.</p>
<p>Friends of Birth Control may extend real help toward the removal of thsi shameful Section 211 by writing vigorous protests against its injustice and recommending no less
vigorously the support of the proposed amendment to their Senators and Congressmen. November is the month in which these letters should be written. Let us find out exactly
how those who have been elected to represent the men and women of the United States stand in this matter.</p>
<p>Courage expresses itself in many ways. There is the exceptional spectacular act of heroism which stands out like a bright light on a dark night against the background of
undistinguished conduct, or even, sometimes, of cowardice or pettiness. Such acts of heroism shine by contrast. They bring publicity, praise and medals for valor. The
soldier whose every-day behavior may be the very opposite of medal is rewarded by distinguished service medals and thus bribed, like a child, into renewed bravery. Then
there is the unexpected adventurous courage of the criminal, often driven to desperate straits by circumstance. Far finer than the courage that is commended by daily
newspapers or appeals by its underlying melodrama to the writers of fiction is a type of courage that seems to us peculiarly feminine in quality. Feminine, I mean, in its
modesty, its steadfastness, the day-in and day-out type of courage that seeks neither publicity nor the cheap reward of gold medals or public recognition. This is a heroism
totally devoid of hysterical enthusiasm, a heroism steady-footed and never marred by any sign of depression or ignoble collapse.</p>
<p>There are thousands of women whose lives are the expression of this silent, inarticulate bravery, women who would not know what you were talking about if you praised
their indomitable courage. This type of courage, indomitable, invincible, elemental, is incarnate in our own Kitty Marion.
For years, in point of fact ever since we have been publishing this REVIEW, she has sold it on the streets of New York.
Firmly planted and holding aloft our printed challenge to prejudice as a living Statue of Liberty, the proximate liberation of suffering womankind.</p>
<p>Standing there immutable, untiring and sure of herself and her conviction in the endless changing eddies and currents of human traffic in overcrowded thoroughfares,
the object of ill-concealed curiosity, at times bitterly denounced by the enemies of Birth Control, Kitty Marion has held aloft with telling dramatic gesture the
of Birth Control. She has been a beacon light for lost mothers seeking in desperation some way out of the labyrinth of torture to which the laws and the prejudices of
legislators have subjected them.</p>
<p>Her absence has made us appreciate more sharply than ever before the significant and finely poised heroism of Kitty Marion. For three summer months she has been away, her
vacation taking her to England where, in the militant suffrage movement she had served so valuable an apprenticeship. But now the mothers
passing in the hurried eddying tides of Broadway traffic are again seeking her out. They are telling their neighbors and friends of the reappearance of the brave indomitable
torchbearer again at her various posts. And we who have during these past months missed Kitty Marion welcome her return and greet her as a true heroine of the Birth Control
movement.</p>
</div>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Protestant Episcopal Church
Birth Control Review
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Margaret Sanger
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1925-11-00
Description
An account of the resource
This unsigned editorial was written during Sanger's tenure as editor of the <span class="journal"><span class="italics">Birth Control Review,</span></span>
but it is not certain that she is the author."
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
msp#422033
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<span class="article">"Editorials"</span>, <span class="journal"><span class="italics">Birth Control Review</span></span>, Nov 1925, pp. 307-08
Subject
The topic of the resource
birth control--distribution of information
birth control clinics and leagues--research benefits
birth control laws and legislation--Comstock Laws
birth control laws and legislation--Federal
birth control laws and legislation--Postal Codes
Christianity--MS on
Marion, Kitty
marriage--and birth control
motherhood--MS on
Protestants and Protestant Church--and birth control
race regeneration
religion--and birth control
unfit to reproduce
Title
A name given to the resource
[Editorial on the Protestant Church and Birth Control Law]
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Published editorial