Social idealism / by R. Dimsdale Stocker.

  • Richard Dimsdale Stocker
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Social idealism / by R. Dimsdale Stocker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to the direst of consequences. The parent, we are reminded, is obviously the proper person to deal with the child. And by exciting public sympathy on its behalf, we can only minimise parental responsibility. To minds of a certain class, this kind of objection appears perfectly conclusive. And I may even go so far myself as to own that I am, up to a certain point, in agreement with those who would advance it. As far as they go, I am with them : the only thing is, they do not go far enough. Parental responsibility is, to be sure, a great and noble thing. And, luckily for us, there are still many parents—as well as those who believe in the duties of parents— who uphold the principle. That, however, let me say, is not the point. Clearly (in spite of the opinions of some) the first duty of Society is not to concern itself with theories, no matter how exalted and ideal these may be. Our first and greatest duty is always to deal with facts. And hence it is, though we may have our theories—and very good, sound theories, too— upon the subject of parenthood : these theories,
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