Educational propaganda would, of course, have to be a definite part of the work of such bureaus.  By this is meant not such modern specialties as “birth control,” “sex hygiene,” et al., though we may by that time have enough authoritative information about sex psychology in marriage to be able to afford some help along these lines.  Instruction in the ethics of married life and parenthood is of even more fundamental importance.  The prevailing cynicism, the present low concepts of marriage, should be vigorously combatted by such an organization.  Religious instruction would be, of course, beyond its scope; but it should be able to work sympathetically with all creeds, supplementing their teachings without seeking to duplicate them.

The services of such a bureau could not, of course, be forced upon anyone who did not wish to avail himself or herself of them; but definite though tactful efforts could be made to reach all young couples (just as are now being made to reach young mothers) with information as to where advice could be obtained.

No trustworthy figures exist as to the number of families broken by desertion or divorce in the United States, or as to the burden of actual dependency caused.  Courts, probation officers, psychiatrists, and family case workers are all dissatisfied with our efforts to patch up the families which are already disintegrating.  One of the three groups mentioned is likely before long to attempt some more dynamic attack upon the problem in its inception.  If any suggestions herein contained find use in that program, the labor of compiling them will have been indeed well spent.

FOOTNOTES: 

[52] See, for example, American Marriage Laws in their Social Aspects—­a preliminary study by the Russell Sage Foundation, June, 1919.

[53] Brandt, Lilian:  574 Deserters and their Families, p. 23.  Charity Organization Society of New York, 1905.

INDEX

Adolph R.:  case story of, 69-70, 83

Age:  relation of differences in, 27

Agencies:  N.Y.  Charity Organization Society, 44;
  National Desertion Bureau, 65, 69, 71. 101;
  United Hebrew Charities, 71;
  co-operative methods, 72-78, 84, 86-90;
  opinions on methods of arrest, 77, 78;
  N.Y.  Association for Improving Condition of the Poor, 136;
  social problems and consultation bureaus, 195-199

Alcoholism:  statistics on, 22;
  devastating effects of, 42;
  case story of woman, 57-61;
  and justifiable deserters, 111-114;
  relation to non-support, 156

American Marriage Laws in their Social Aspects, study by Russell Sage
    Foundation, 186

Apparent desertions:  illustrated, 8, 9

Baldwin, Wm. H., 169, 177

Bastardy Cases, A Study of Louise de K. Bowen, 95