race through the gift and heritage of children;
the other is the paramount importance in married life of deliberate and
thoughtful self-control."
In answer to this point of view Lord Dawson asserted:
"Sex love has, apart from parenthood, a purport of its own. It is
something to prize and to cherish for its own sake. It is an essential
part of health and happiness in marriage. And now, if you will allow me,
I will carry this argument a step further. If sexual union is a gift of
God it is worth learning how to use it. Within its own sphere it should
be cultivated so as to bring physical satisfaction to both, not merely
to one.... The real problems before us are those of sex love and child
love; and by sex love I mean that love which involves intercourse or the
desire for such. It is necessary to my argument to emphasize that sex
love is one of the dominating forces of the world. Not only does history
show the destinies of nations and dynasties determined by its sway--but
here in our every-day life we see its influence, direct or indirect,
forceful and ubiquitous beyond aught else. Any statesmanlike view,
therefore, will recognize that here we have an instinct so fundamental,
so imperious, that its influence is a fact which has to be accepted;
suppress it you cannot. You may guide it into healthy channels, but
an outlet it will have, and if that outlet is inadequate and unduly
obstructed irregular channels will be forced....
"The attainment of mutual and reciprocal joy in their relations
constitutes a firm bond between two people, and makes for durability of
the marriage tie. Reciprocity in sex love is the physical counterpart of
sympathy. More marriages fail from inadequate and clumsy sex love than
from too much sex love. The lack of proper understanding is in no small
measure responsible for the unfulfillment of connubial happiness, and
every degree of discontent and unhappiness may, from this cause, occur,
leading to rupture of the marriage bond itself. How often do medical
men have to deal with these difficulties, and how fortunate if such
difficulties are disclosed early enough in married life to be rectified.
Otherwise how tragic may be their consequences, and many a case in the
Divorce Court has thus had its origin. To the foregoing contentions,
it might be objected, you are encouraging passion. My reply would be,
passion is a worthy possession--most men, who are any good, are
capable of passion. You all enjoy
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