Birthrate And Higher Education Connected

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1944, Page 3

Birthrate And Higher Education Connected

SYDNEY, This Day

In countries where women had been literate for two generations the birthrate was declining, said Dr. Edith Summerskill, a member of the British Parliamentary delegation, in an interview.

This situation was not necessarily an argument against higher education for women, but it did indicate that women were probably looking for and finding interests outside their homes. Dr. Summerskill, who wili visit New Zealand with the Parliamentary delegation now in Australia, added that fewer children in a family did not always mean that women were evading their responsibilities, but had realised that they" could play a part in the community generally. Nevertheless, the declining birthrate was one of Britain’s gravest problems. In 30 years England would be a country of middleaged people and young workers would be taxed. so heavily that the burden would be intolerable.

Suggesting some means by which the present trend in the birthrate might be combated, Dr. Summerskill advocated an improved status and economic independence for a woman in a home, and special attention to the needs of the expectant mother in industry. “Society must recognise that the expectant mother is making the most important contribution to the community, and her health and medical services must be improved immeasurably,” declared Dr. Summerskill. “It is no use saying that 50 years ago people had large families without all these amenities, because women’s standards are now different and they have been educated not to tolerate the old 2?rimitive conditions.”