Was Canada immune to the racist currents of thought that swept central Europe in the 1920's and 1930's? In this landmark book Angus McLaren, co-author of The Bedroom and the State, examines the pervasiveness in Canada of the eugenic notion of "race betterment" and demonstrates that many Canadians believed that radical measures were justified to protect the community from the "degenerate." The sterilization of the feeble-minded in Alberta and British Columbia was merely the most dramatic attempt to limit the numbers of the "unfit." But in the decades prior to World War Two, eugenic preoccupations were to colour discussions of immigration restriction, birth control, mental testing, family allowances, and a host of similar social policies.
Doctors, psychiatrists, geneticists, social workers, and mental hygienists provided an anxious Canadian middle class with the reassuring argument that poverty, crime, prostitution, and mental retardation were primarily the products of defective genes, not a defective social system. In explaining why biological solutions were sought for social problems McLaren not only provides a provocative reappraisal of the ideas and activities of a generation of feminists, political progressives, and public health propagandists but he also explores some of the roots of our not-so-latent racist tendencies.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 15.00
From Canada to U.S.A.
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Slightly darkened edges of text block, previous owner's embossed name stamp on title page and bookstore rubber stamp on half-title, otherwise text is unmarked. Seller Inventory # ABE-1660190459561
Book Description Trade Paperback. Condition: Good. A bit of edge wear otherwise good. Seller Inventory # 006404
Book Description Condition: Good. 0th Edition. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 10848532-6
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 0.7. Seller Inventory # 0771055447-2-3
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.55. Seller Inventory # G0771055447I3N10
Book Description Condition: Good. Book is in Used-Good condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain limited notes and highlighting. 0.7. Seller Inventory # 0771055447-2-4
Book Description Soft cover. Condition: As New. (M6) like new; photographs upon request. Seller Inventory # ABE-1689868270035
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Ex-library copy with all expected markings and attachments, heavy tape down spine, light usage. Seller Inventory # 012147