When studying the rhythmic course of ethical development, we are frequently in danger of misinterpreting a temporary phase of retrogression for a permanent change. To this error must be ascribed the position taken by many modern writers in regard to the monogamic form of marriage. Observing its present short comings and the real increase in the divorce rate, they become needlessly alarmed, and rush to the conclusion that monogamy is a failure and must be superseded by a different arrangement. Their inference is not upheld by those who have devoted themselves to a deeper study of the subject. Let us hear a few representative voices.
In his recent book on "Divorce", Prof. Lichtenberger says: "Present tendencies do not
mean the disruption of the family. They reveal the struggles of adjustment antecedent to
more wholesome conditions. With the increasing recognition of the civil contract theory of
marriage and the growing appreciation of individual rights, there is destined to come greater
freedom of divorce. The probable immediate result will be a further rise in the divorce rate.
The net result of the modern movement will be to place marriage upon a better basis with
larger guarantees of its permanency. An appropriate equality of economic opportunity will
overcome sex dependence, and an equal standard of morals will minimize sexual immorality.
Theoretical monogamy will tend to become actual monogamy".
We are as yet remote from such an ideal. We are passing thru a transitional stage, and
our marriage relation shares the imperfections of all our institutions. But the outlook upon
the future is calculated to inspire courage and hopefulness. "There is abundant evidence,"
assures us Westermark (History of Human Marriage), "that marriage has, upon the whole,
become more durable in proportion as the human race has risen to higher degrees of
cultivation, and that a certain amount of civilization is an essential condition of the
formation of life long unions".
Speaking of ancient forms, Prof. Howard (History of Matrimonial Institutions) says: "The
complex phenomena of human sexual relations have been examined in the light of scientific
criticism. The result seems unmistakably to show that pairing has always been the typical
form of human marriage. Early monogamy takes its rise beyond the borderland separating
men from lower animals. At the dawn of human history, individual marriage prevails, tho the
union is not always lasting. In the later stages, various forms of polygamy make their
appearance, tho monogamy as the type is never superseded".
Modern monogamy, according to Lichtenberger, is the only form which meets universal
ethical sanction among the civilized nations of the earth. The utilitarian arguments in its
favor are summed up by Lecky in three sentences: Nature, by making the number of males
and females nearly equal, indicates it as natural. In no other form of marriage can the
government of the family be so happily sustained. In no other does woman assume the
position of the equal of man.
These views are concurred in by numerous authoritative writers. Smyth calls life long
monogamy "the only relation that can be thought of as meeting the full claims and
obligations of personality". Spencer's resumé deserves to be quoted at greater length: "The
monogamic form of the sexual relation is manifestly the ultimate form; and any change to be
anticipated must be in the direction of completion and extension of it. Future evolution may
be expected to extend the monogamic relation by extinguishing promiscuity, and by
suppressing such crimes as bigamy and adultery. ...With an increase of altruism must go a
decrease of domestic dissension. Whence, simultaneously a strengthening of the moral bond
and a weakening of the forces tending to destroy it".