Page:Meta Stern Lilienthal - Women of the Future - 1916.pdf/19

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stantly, irresistibly. It is only a natural, logical conclusion, therefore, that some time in the future all women will be social producers. Ever since a larger industrial life led to the need for greater educational opportunities, women have begun their conquest of learning. It is self-understood, therefore, that in the future all women, as well as all men, will be educated according to the higher educational standards of a more advanced civilization. Ever since the industrial and social transformation in the position of women led them into public life, a struggle for the political equality of women has taken shape. At the present time we behold this struggle rapidly approaching its goal. It cannot be doubted, therefore, that in the future the political equality of women will be fully established. But woman's future position as a worker and a citizen does not puzzle us nearly so much as her future position as wife, mother and home-maker. How will woman's social and civic responsibilities harmonize with her conjugal relation and her maternal duties? How will her socially productive labor be adjusted to her domestic functions?

WILL SOCIALISM DESTROY THE HOME AND
THE FAMILY?

You might as well face the fact, dear reader, that Socialism will destroy the home and the family as they exist to-day. But wait! Don't condemn Socialism on a half truth, hear the whole truth! You need not fear for one minute that Socialism will abolish any of those elements of home life and family life that are dear to your heart and mine. The privacy that we all desire, the cherished intimacy with those we love, the ever sacred and ever beautiful affection between husband and wife and between parent and child, Socialism will not and cannot destroy. The very contrary is true. Economic security, a larger freedom, and a more general culture and refinement that will come with Socialism, will only increase and cultivate the charm and beauty of those ideals. The only home that Socialism will destroy is the

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