First published in 1923, this book explores the impact on development that heredity and environment has on children. Chaplin argues that too much reliance is placed on education and in fact parents, physicians and teachers should equally be taking into consideration the physical and mental constitution of the child, which could be linked to hereditary and environmental factors. In conjunction with the moral, spiritual and intellectual predispositions that the child may have, Chaplin argues the pros of eugenics (in the perspective of the early 20 th century) and equally the importance of euthenics for future prosperity of generations to come.