If we once admit that our life is here for the purpose of race-improvement, then we question any religion which does not improve the race, or the main force of which evaporates, as it were, directing our best efforts toward the sky.... Improvement in the human race is not accomplished by extracting any number of souls and placing them in heaven, or elsewhere. It must be established on earth, either through achievement in social service, or through better children.
Charlotte Perkins GilmanIt is the duty of youth to bring fresh new powers to bear on Social progress. Each generation of young people should be to the world like a vast reserve force to a tired army. They should life the world forward. That is what they are for.
Charlotte Perkins GilmanIt would have saved trouble had I remained Perkins from the first, this changing of women's names is a nuisance we are now happily outgrowing.
Charlotte Perkins GilmanA family unity which is only bound together with a table-cloth is of questionable value.
Charlotte Perkins GilmanThe mother as a social servant instead of a home servant will not lack in true mother duty. From her work, loved and honored though it is, she will return to her home life, the child life, with an eager, ceaseless pleasure, cleansed of all the fret and fraction and weariness that so mar it now.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman