and responsibility.




29.


Marriage and the Law


This was not always the case. No more than a century ago, even by
American law, the most sentimental in the world, the husband was
the head of the family firm, lordly and autonomous. He had
authority over the purse-strings, over the children, and even over his
wife. He could enforce his mandates by appropriate punishment,
including the corporal. His sovereignty and dignity were carefully
guarded by legislation, the product of thousands of years of
experience and ratiocination. He was safeguarded in his self-respect
by the most elaborate and efficient devices, and they had the
support of public opinion.


Consider, now, the changes that a few short years have wrought.
Today, by the laws of most American states--laws proposed, in most
cases, by maudlin and often notoriously extravagant agitators,
and passerby sentimental orgy--all of the old rights of the husband
have been converted into obligations. He no longer has any control
over his wife's property; she may devote its income to the family or
she may squander that income upon idle follies, and he can do