The choice of a mate.

  • Anthony Ludovici
Date:
[1935]
Catalogue details
    46/546 (page 16)
    England), 1 differentiation in occupations, the increasing inter ference of medicine and surgery, and the consequent multiplica tion of unsound stocks, it is at all events unlikely that the variety and confusion of types and degrees of abnormality have not in creased since Henry VIII. If, then, freedom of choice to-day does not appear to lead more frequently to successful marriages than no freedom of choice in a more standardized environment, this must be due, at least partly, to the enormous difficulty of exercising prudent, not to mention, wise, choice where such extreme differentiation prevails, and to the complete ignorance and inexperience with which young people are allowed to meet this difficulty. Because, I repeat, even if it be true that genetic power has declined, and therefore that a cooler, more critical estimate can now be made of the sexual object, it does not follow that this more fastidious scrutiny is conducted along sound lines. Thus I am led to the conclusion that if freedom of choice is retained in mating—and there is small chance of its being abolished in these emancipated days, even if its abolition were desirable—the young are in dire need of a clear statement of the criteria by which their choice should be directed. Thus I may formulate my task as follows :—• 1. To break down those prejudices (artificially-conditioned reflexes) operating in the direction of unhealthy and unwise choice. 2. To condition new reflexes (prejudices) operating towards healthy and wise choice. 3. To provide precise criteria of choice. 4. To impress on the young mind the effect of subjective sexual forces upon scrutiny and criticism. No. 3 is by far the most difficult, and I am well aware of the imperfect manner in which I have carried it out. My only defence is to remind the reader of the deplorable state of our knowledge regarding the whole subject of human “ points But, even if I have failed to satisfy those who need every step to be indicated in advance, I hope I have at least met the expectations of the less exacting reader. The advantages of even such imperfect guidance as I do offer are, I suggest, the following :— {a) It places freedom of choice on a surer footing. 1 See my Defence of Conservatism, Chaps. Ill and IV.