ABSTRACT
The tendency in modern society to postpone the marriage age is not regarded with favour by eugenists. It is largely due to economic causes and is especially noted among the educated and desirable classes. It must be confessed that a discussion on the proper conditions of mating is always largely academic as marriages are usually not contracted by reason but by passion or self-interest. The preliminaries are approached as the result of affinity or liking and not with the idea of breeding in mind. Contrary to Weismann, Redfield believes that traits directly acquired by the efforts of the individual himself can be transmitted. Some States are beginning to require a medical examination and certificate before marriage is permitted. This is good as far as it goes, but it must be remembered that the diseases for which the examination is especially made are not passed along by organic inheritance.
