for the strength of a man and the softness of a woman, the institution of the family, and the differentiation of occupations are mere militant necessities of an age of physical force; where population is balanced and abundant, much childbearing becomes an evil rather than a blessing to the State; where violence comes but rarely and offspring are secure, there is less necessity-indeed there is no necessity-for an efficient family, and the specialization of the sexes with reference to their children's needs disappears. We see some beginnings of this even in our own time, and in this future age it was complete.
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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.
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