Marriage and society

Of the many urgent problems with which the world is confronted at this critical juncture in human history the question of the place and function of marriage in society is of supreme importance since upon it depends not only the happiness and well-being of millions of persons everywhere but also the maintenance of the social structure. The family being the primary nucleus of society, instability at this essential centre renders the entire fabric liable to collapse. Therefore, the fundamental weakness at this vital point, which has now become apparent, is a matter of very serious concern, as is widely recognized. This anxiety, however, is coupled with a good deal of confusion of thought and practice arising from the very complicated history of marriage as a universal and basic institution in society inherited at a time of rapid and far-reaching changes in outlook and way of life in the modern world.

During the last twelve or fourteen years the nature of the problem in its manifold aspects has been taking shape in my mind, largely as a result of my having been called upon to serve on several Commis sions and fact-finding Committees appointed for the purpose of investigating marriage, family life and sexual morality from various standpoints. My own part in these inquiries has been mainly in con nection with the anthropological evidence, where often it is easier to gain insight into the configuration of family life and social relationships than in the more intricate developments of stratified complex cultures subject to influences from a great variety of sources. But in the course of the deliberations I have been enabled to gain a synoptic conception of the institution of marriage in its many aspects and checkered history, ranging from my own anthropological approach to the outstanding ethical and social problems, and the philosophic and theological evalua tion of the nuptial relationship, chiefly from the expert knowledge of those with whom I have had the honour to be associated, and also in some measure from my own independent inquiries.