4/14 4&5

Main concept of Pregnancy and Power by solinger - racializing the nation, building the nation through regulating sex and pregnancy and reproduction

• FDR - Depression pushed government to create partnerships with states to expand aid to “deserving” mothers or morally pure and legitimate mothers (married, not working outside the home, white): Aid to Dependent Children Program (ADC).

• Unwed mothers were denied aid on moral grounds.

• Mothers of color were unworthy or suitable for waged work.

• 1900-1940 3.5 million women entered workforce for war-related jobs, ¾ were married and most were mothers

• 1950: 1/3 of all women worked for pay, did not want job when married, worked full time and more returned to work after their youngest child begun school

• 1950: white women didn’t have to work for wages. a wife at home was a powerful emblem of being middle class

• 30% of African American married mothers with children

• birth control was crucial for women holding down jobs

• 77% in the US approved of public health clinics distributing contraceptives

• a 1944 study showed that ¾ of doctors were trained in 1930s to give instructions on birth control

Religious and voluntary organizations stepped in to revitalize male supremacy, white supremacy and racial purity, by restraining female reproductive decision making!