The passage discusses the changing role of family structures and gender distinctions in a society where physical force is no longer paramount. It suggests that, in a balanced and flourishing population, the traditional family unit may lose its importance, as the need for efficient child-rearing diminishes. As violence becomes rare and offspring are secure, the specialization of roles based on gender, primarily for the benefit of children, becomes unnecessary.

This vision reflects a progressive view of societal evolution, where the limitations imposed by physical necessities are replaced by a more egalitarian and flexible understanding of roles. H. G. Wells anticipates a future where these shifts result in a different societal fabric, indicating that the developments we see today could be the early stages of this transformation.