Fixing the Poor: Eugenic Sterilization and Child Welfare in the Twentieth Century

Fixing the Poor explores the history of Minnesota's eugenic sterilization program, primarily targeting individuals labeled as "feebleminded" from the late 19th century until its end in the 1970s. The book analyzes the cultural and social factors that led to the policy, including anxieties about race, class, and disability, as well as the state's public welfare objectives. It examines how eugenics intertwined with child welfare movements and how the legal and administrative systems expanded state power over marginalized communities. The work also provides insight into individual cases, illustrating the complex interplay of social, behavioral, and economic factors that led to the "feebleminded" designation and subsequent sterilization. It looks at how views and policies changed after World War II, along with growing awareness of the human rights of those with intellectual disabilities.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/book_shelterGet the Book now from Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Fixing-Poor-Eugenic-Sterilization-Twentieth/dp/1421423723?&linkCode=ll1&tag=cvthunderx-20&linkId=8987ae18167d850751ca3f85d3f95167&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlProduced by Podcai Studio:https://www.podcaistudio.com/