There seems as good reason why a compulsory physical and mental examination, together with an inquiry into the main facts of a person's life in order to prevent fraud and exploitation, should always precede the giving of a marriage license as for the required physical and mental examination of children when they enter the tax-supported public school.

It is, in both cases, a way by which society secures itself, in the interest of the family and of social life, against the fostering or continuance of evils that may be prevented from poisoning the sources of moral and intellectual growth.
The fiat has gone forth in the Western world that no one shall be compelled to marry against his or her will.

The first revolt from family control of marriage, that which made so many persons believe that any one should be allowed to marry any one whom he or she might choose, is now, however, waning.

Elements of social control are superseding the "marriage broker" and the parental office in deciding what unions shall be allowed.
=The Young Should be Helped to Make Wise Choices.=--Wisdom and consistency are not yet developed in this new way of helping the young, even against their will, to avoid mistakes of ignorance and folly, but they are developing.

Meanwhile, many children still revere their parents' wishes and ideals, even if the wild few do as they please without regard to their elders.