About the book
In the early twentieth century, most US states established eugenics programs to “improve” the human race through selective breeding. North Carolina ran one of the nation’s most aggressive programs; between 1927 and 1977, at least 5,700 people were sterilized and thousands more were committed to institutions. While sterilizations in the 1950s and 1960s disproportionately targeted Black women receiving public assistance, the program’s early focus was on poor white women. These policies were framed as scientific and progressive, yet they were deeply intertwined with racial and class biases, reflecting long-standing social hierarchies in the South.
Anna Krome-Lukens examines those early years and reveals how white reformers such as social workers, politicians, and activists promoted the principles of eugenics while shaping the emerging welfare state before and during the New Deal. By using claims about fitness and mental defects to justify unequal access to public benefits, they defined who was worthy of care. Tracing this history, Strong State, Weak Links illuminates how North Carolina’s eugenics programs influenced the modern welfare state and how their legacy continues to shape debates over social policy today.
Editions of Strong State, Weak Links
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469693668
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469693675
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469693682
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469693699
Read an Excerpt
In the early twentieth century, most US states established eugenics programs to “improve” the human race through selective breeding. North Carolina ran one of the nation’s most aggressive programs; between 1927 and 1977, at least 5,700 people were sterilized and thousands more were committed to institutions. While sterilizations in the 1950s and 1960s disproportionately targeted Black women receiving public assistance, the program’s early focus was on poor white women. These policies were framed as scientific and progressive, yet they were deeply intertwined with racial and class biases, reflecting long-standing social hierarchies in the South.
Anna Krome-Lukens examines those early years and reveals how white reformers such as social workers, politicians, and activists promoted the principles of eugenics while shaping the emerging welfare state before and during the New Deal. By using claims about fitness and mental defects to justify unequal access to public benefits, they defined who was worthy of care. Tracing this history, Strong State, Weak Links illuminates how North Carolina’s eugenics programs influenced the modern welfare state and how their legacy continues to shape debates over social policy today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Strong State, Weak Links about?
In the early twentieth century, most US states established eugenics programs to “improve” the human race through selective breeding. North Carolina ran one of the nation’s most aggressive programs; between 1927 and 1977, at least 5,700 people were sterilized and thousands more were committed to institutions. While sterilizations in the 1950s and 1960s disproportionately targeted Black women receiving public assistance, the program’s early focus was on poor white women. These policies were framed as scientific and progressive, yet they were deeply intertwined with racial and class biases, reflecting long-standing social hierarchies in the South.
Anna Krome-Lukens examines those early years and reveals how white reformers such as social workers, politicians, and activists promoted the principles of eugenics while shaping the emerging welfare state before and during the New Deal. By using claims about fitness and mental defects to justify unequal access to public benefits, they defined who was worthy of care. Tracing this history, Strong State, Weak Links illuminates how North Carolina’s eugenics programs influenced the modern welfare state and how their legacy continues to shape debates over social policy today.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Strong State, Weak Links?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Central / national / federal government > Central / national / federal government policies
Where can I read a sample of Strong State, Weak Links?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469693668
How long is Strong State, Weak Links and how many pages does it have?
Strong State, Weak Links has 340 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Strong State, Weak Links?
Anna Krome-Lukens
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Strong State, Weak Links is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469693668) and paperback(ISBN 9781469693675) and ebook(ISBN 9781469693682) and pdf(ISBN 9781469693699)
Where can I buy Strong State, Weak Links online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Strong State, Weak Links from below
Where can I buy Strong State, Weak Links?