lthough in a different
manner. Free as he is from the biological responsibilities connected
with childbearing which fall to a woman's lot, he finds the economic
responsibilities which the care of children entails equally grilling.
His choice of a profession can no longer be decided by his own
preferences, but must be determined by the economic returns. He can
never afford to sacrifice financial gain for personal recognition,
because of his obligation to provide for his family. Thus it happens
that marriage often presents a situation in which no outlet for personal
ambitions is possible and the egoistic desires and emotions must be
sternly repressed. There is therefore an increasing hesitancy on the
part of the men of to-day to assume responsibilities so grave and
involving so much personal sacrifice.

It is evident from even such a casual inquiry as this, that there are
many facts of individual psychology which have not been taken into
account by society in the development of the mores which govern the
sexual relationships of its members. The traditional institution of the
family, which would shape all women into model wives and mothers, has
neglected to consider the fact that not all women are biologically
adapted for these particular activities. The choice of a mate which is
determined by irrational and unconscious motives may or may not prove to
be a wise selection, as we have seen in the course of our discussion.
Most significant of all for the social problem of sex, is the
overwhelming tendency to individuation which is making both men and
women frankly question whether marriage and parenthood are worth while
when they involve so much personal sacrifice.

From the viewpoint of psychology, we may briefly summarize the whole
situation by saying that society has imposed upon its members a uniform
and inflexible type of sexual relationships and reproductive activities
with a total disregard of individual differences in its demand for
conformity to these traditions. When the infinite number of variations
and modifications possible in the sexual life of different individuals
is taken into consideration, it is obvious that there must be a certain
disharmony between personal inclinations and social standards. Because
the power of the group control is very great, its members usually
repress emotions which are not in accord with its regulations, and shape
their conduct to meet with its approval. If such a restriction of the