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Allison Perez
Professor Vyvial
English 1302-IM2
4 April 2017
Creation, Choice, and Cultivation

Nurse, writer, and well-known birth control activist Margaret Sanger presented her

speech, "The Childrens Era" on March 30, 1925 during the Sixth International Neo-Malthusian

and Birth Control Conference at Scottish Rite Hall in New York. She chose to speak on behalf of

those not yet conceived, but who she felt needed a voice. In her address to her colleagues, Sanger

is passionate and motivated to spread her message. Her creative use of metaphors coupled with

extensive knowledge and research on the subject of birth control, help her to convey many valid

points. Sangers enthusiasm on the subject of birth control and family planning is explored

deeply and communicated clearly in her speech, while also stirring the emotions of her readers

and appealing to them logically and professionally.

Based on her work with various organizations and groups that support her beliefs,

Margaret Sangers suggestions bring new awareness to a subject many were still not ready to talk

about. In her speech, her claim is that thoughtful family planning is in fact, a beneficial, long-

term solution to the various levels of societal problems. Her views, shared by few of her time,

are progressive and thought-provoking. Sanger dared to explore the possibility of women taking

control of their own bodies and contributing to more than just childbearing. She shows a genuine

concern for the youth of the future and offers the sometimes less than popular alternative to a

growing problem.
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Her strong use of metaphors to portray a sense of urgency was the key to pathos in

Sangers speech. By creating a visual comparison that many could relate to or understand, she

builds upon the emotions of her audience. She uses the example of a garden to achieve this

stating, If we want to make this world a garden for children, we must first of all learn the lesson

of the gardener (Sanger). Taking this serious subject matter and reducing it to a simpler form

gives Sanger the opportunity to appeal to her audience creatively while remaining on the

emotional level she is aiming for. She is careful with her choice of words and builds trust with

them as well. Many that she chose to use to describe the conditions of unwanted pregnancies,

overpopulation, and the condition of the communities are meant to provoke feeling in the reader

or listener; evil of child labor, waste of motherhood and child-life, and reckless breeding

are just a few of the colorful, emotionally charged phrases used in her address.

Sanger uses logos by giving examples of the current state of distress caused by issues of

overpopulation, infantile mortality, and the growing number of institutionalized individuals.

These issues are the weeds she is referring to when she speaks of cultivating the gardens.

She states, Human weed crop up that spread so fast in this sinister struggle for existence, that

the overworked committee becomes exhausted, inefficient, and can think of no way out

(Sanger). While these examples that she provides are real scenarios that affect communities, this

is not a solid source of logos alone. Had she provided direct correlations with unwanted

pregnancy and these problems, or more developed statistics linking one or more to each other,

her argument for the cause would have been more logically solid. In addition to the many flaws

in the system that she is concerned with, Sanger also suggests Civil Service examinations for

potential parents and provides examples of guidelines and rules such an organization would

follow.
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Professionalism and knowledge of her subject help pull this piece together overall.

Sangers words are constructed carefully and with thought. Her choice of subject matter suits her

background and gives her the credibility, or ethos, needed to form a convincing and educational

argument. She remains on topic throughout, rarely deviating from these ideas she is so passionate

about. Sanger explains that, We want to create a real Century of the Child usher in a

Childrens Era (Sanger) and goes on to say, We can do this by handling the terrific gift of life

in bodies fit and perfect as can be fashioned (Sanger). Bringing her speech to a close, she

continues the appeal to her audience by noting that their help is needed in the creation of the

future.

As an advocate for the limitation of reproduction, Margaret Sanger is well informed

about her cause. However, her passion for this subject could easily undermine her credibility if

she were to take it further. The mention of a bureau of the child-to-be is a good example of

this. While some may see that the true meaning behind this suggestion is only a wishful anecdote

used to lighten the intensity and tone, others may consider it strange or unusual to include humor

regarding this topic. In general, the risks she takes to accomplish ethos, pathos, and logos are

unique and original, allowing for many forms of interpretation of her plea.

Margaret Sangers "The Childrens Era" provides an interesting perspective and argument

for family planning. Through the decades this subject has remained controversial in certain

circles and accepted in others. There has been criticism of Sangers views and even accusations

of racial undertones associated with her beliefs. "The Childrens Era" is successful in

communicating the urgency of this growing problem through Margaret Sangers eyes. However,

as an argument for a better world for future generations, perhaps starting with unconditional love

and communication is a good place to start.

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Works Cited

Sanger, Margaret. The Childrens Era. Sixth International Neo-Malthusian and Birth Control

Conference, 30 March 1925, Scottish Rite Hall, New York, New York. Address.