As an advocate of birth control I wish ... to point out that the unbalance between the birth rate of the 'unfit' and the 'fit,' admittedly the greatest present menace to civilization, can never be rectified by the inauguration of a cradle competition between these two classes. In this matter, the example of the inferior classes, the fertility of the feeble-minded, the mentally defective, the poverty-stricken classes, should not be held up for emulation.... On the contrary, the most urgent problem today is how to limit and discourage the over-fertility of the mentally and physically defective.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The biggest threat to civilization is the imbalance between high fertility among the 'unfit' and low fertility among the 'fit', and the urgent task is to curb over‑fertility of the disabled and poor.
- In plain terms
- Control fertility of disadvantaged groups to protect civilization.
- What can you take from it?
- Prioritize limiting births among those deemed unfit.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What criteria define 'fit' vs 'unfit'?
- How can we protect rights while addressing population concerns?
Another view
Labeling groups as 'unfit' is a dangerous and discriminatory stance.
More from Margaret Sanger
Always to me any aroused group was a good group, and therefore I accepted an invitation to talk to the women's branch of the Ku Klux Klan at Silver Lake, New J…
Permalink to quote #14 Birth control is the first important step woman must take toward the goal of her freedom. It is the first step she must take to be man's equal. It is the first…
Permalink to quote #16 I accepted one branch of this philosophy, but eugenics without birth control seemed to me a house built upon sands. It could not stand against the furious wind…
Permalink to quote #13
Related quotes
I accepted one branch of this philosophy, but eugenics without birth control seemed to me a house built upon sands. It could not stand against the furious wind…
Margaret SangerMargaret Sanger quote #13 If a test of civilization be sought, none can be so sure as the condition of that half of society over which the other half has power.
Harriet MartineauHarriet Martineau quote #1 Dear Reichsfuhrer, among 10's of millions of Jews in Europe, there are, I figure, at least 2-3 millions of men and women who are fit enough to work. Considerin…
Viktor BrackViktor Brack quote #1