Divorce in Nazi Germany

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

Divorce in Nazi Germany

! Regimenting of Women Means Domestic Unhappiness

"ACCORDING to Dr. Clifford Kirkpatrick, Professor of Sociology in an, American University, and author of a recent book on "Woman in Nazi Germany," divorce is steadily increasing in that country, in spite of propaganda and special concessions to make marriage more attractive. Clover propaganda to win over tho women of Germany was used by tho Nazis when they came into power in 1983. Hatred of the regime which coincided with the post-war period of hunger and poverty was carefully nurtured, and women were lured with promises of husbands and homes. There were two million surplus woman in Germany after the war. Other propaganda directed at women appeal to love -—love of loader, love of heroes, love of children. -Jn 1933 German women had organised , themselves into 60 organisations with millions of members. All these were wiped out under the Nazi regime with incredible swiftness. Discontents were encouraged by Nazi agents, to break up organisations, and the work and aims of others were embodied in one giant organisation, tho National Socialist Frauenschaft.

Tho new organisation, instead of expressing women's views, imposed upon women the Nazi verdict on women's place in the now Germany. The controller of the organisation is a man. To encourage marriage, matrimonial advertising "has been greatly oxtended and newspaper and even religious niaga-

zincs carry these advertisements. Hitler introduced marriage loans which are paid back at 1 per cent a month. Indebtedness is reduced by a substantial sum for each child, and unmarried people arc taxed to provide money for the plan. At the same time, propaganda against "double earnings" for husband and wife has long been vigorously circulated.

"The renewed interest in marriage," Dr. Kirkpatrick says, "came too late for countless thousands of women. If every adult German male were inspired to go forth and seek a mate, the extra women would still remain. Hence it is grossly unfair to place on woman's shoulders the burden of blame for the avoidance of marriage. "Family discord is evidenced by increased divorce rates. Children are alienated from their parents, and motherhood is rewarded with propaganda and philanthropy rather than with solid economic security. The ideal home of Nazi thcoiy has not yet been attained.',' , Difference of political views between husband and wife and between parents and children causes family friction that frequently ends in the Divorce Court.

Marriago propaganda and marriage loans make girls "none too discriminating" in choosing their husbands, and tho "marry-at-anv-pricc" ' philosophy does not tend to further the welding of congenial personalities necessary for family stability.