The History of Eugenics in America

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Recommended: Natural selection and social Darwinism

Eugenics is the study of the agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations either physically or mentally. After the major turn of the century, “eugenics “developed into a world- wide movement. (Vermont University, 2003) It was led by scientist and scholars in several diverse fields, and funded by wealthy philanthropists, also supported by statesmen. Eugenics played a very vital and central role in the political, social, and intellectual history of numerous diverse peoples and nations. (Vermont University, 2003) Eugenics is a very controversial topic. Eugenics in theory and practice attracted lots of criticism, and opposition inspired revisions. The interpretations of eugenics and the distinctive manifestations in public policy varied according to time, place, and professional and political cultures (Vermont University, 2003).

Moreover, eugenics has been practiced in America for quite some time. It’s the history of eugenics that makes it such a renowned topic in society. After the civil war, there was a major turbulent in the economy and a big influx of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe. The economy of the US had rapid fluctuations and remained in this tenuous manner until WWI (Drake, n.d).As the economy became more uncertain, the social inequalities between different segments of society, became even more visible. In the same time period the big idea of Social Darwinism became quite popular and was used to explain these certain social inequalities. Social Darwinism utilizes the important concept of natural selection from Charles Darwin and applies it to society (Drake, n.d).The Social Darwinism explains the survival of the fittest in the terms of the capability of...

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...trieved from http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-eugenics-ethical

• Johnson, K. (August, 2013 23). Righting a wrong: Nc to pay victims of forced sterilization. Retrieved from http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/8/23/righting-a-wrongnctopayvictimsofforcedsterilization.html

• Kickler, T. L. ((2013)). Retrieved from http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/commentary/315/entry

• Lutz, K. (10/21/12). Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/NC/NC.html

• Pozgar, G. (2012). Legal aspects of health care administration. (ELEVENTH ed.). Sudbury, MA: JONES & BARTLETT LEARNING. DOI: www.jblearning.com

• State budget would give money to eugenics victims. (july, 22th 13). Retrieved from http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_49604856-f263-11e2-821e-001a4bcf6878.html

• Vermont University. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~eugenics/whatisf.html

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