Birth control and the state : A plea and a forecast

In the wake of the Great War, a fierce public debate erupted over birth control, pitting advocates like Dr. Marie Stopes against entrenched moral and medical establishments. This book opens by charting that clash, showing how propaganda both challenged and reinforced prevailing prejudices. Readers are guided through the early controversies that shaped the movement’s struggle for legitimacy.

The author then steps back to offer a measured overview, weighing the principal arguments on both sides of the issue. He examines concerns about national strength, racial health, and individual liberty, while also exploring the practical benefits of accessible contraception for families and societies. Throughout, a clear appeal is made for the state, through the health ministry, to take responsibility for providing reliable information and services.

The final sections propose concrete steps for medical professionals, urging them to move beyond ignorance and become the custodians of a policy that could influence the nation’s future. By presenting the debate with scholarly restraint, the work invites listeners to form their own informed opinion on a topic that still reverberates today.