Motherhood and the Relationships of the Sexes

Motherhood and the Relationships of the Sexes by C. Gasquoine Hartley is a groundbreaking exploration of motherhood, gender roles, and sexual education through the lens of history, biology, sociology, and personal rights. Originally written in the wake of the Great European War (World War I), this book critically examines how global conflict affected the role of women, the evolution of the family, and the structure of sexual relationships in both natural and human societies. The book is divided into five parts, beginning with a historical and sociological Retrospect on women’s roles before and after the war. It then moves into a deep dive on Animal Parenthood, analyzing behaviors in insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals — especially the rarely discussed role of male caregiving in the animal kingdom. In The Primitive Family, Hartley explores the matriarchal roots of human society, emphasizing the importance and centrality of motherhood across cultures. The core of the work — Motherhood and the Relationships of the Sexes — discusses the evolution and challenges of monogamous marriage, societal norms around female sexuality, the plight of unmarried mothers, and the need for openness about sexual health. The final section on Sexual Education provides progressive views for its time, focusing especially on the adolescent girl and the pivotal role of mothers in guiding youth through sensitive transitions. Hartley advocates for truth, clarity, and compassion in conversations around sex and gender, making this a rare and courageous book from a female author of the early 20th century. This is more than a book about parenting — it’s a thoughtful and courageous treatise on how societies can better understand, support, and respect the realities of motherhood and female sexuality.