The politics of the body in Weimar Germany
Subtitle: women's reproductive rights and duties
By: Cornelie Usborne.
Series: Social history, popular culture, and politics in Germany
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Published: 1992
Place of publication: Ann Arbor
Language: eng
Number of pages: 304
Subjects: Birth control -- Government policy -- Germany -- History -- 20th century; Birth control -- Moral and ethical aspects -- History -- 20th century; Germany -- Population policy; Germany -- Social conditions -- 1918-1933
Description: "Based on a wealth of archive material, much of which had been previously neglected, this book examines the remarkable progress made in Weimar Germany toward reproductive freedom and maternity protection. Social and political upheaval after the First World War, including a rapidly declining birthrate, the decisive influence of socialists in government, and the advent of Germany's first female politicians, made possible progressive legislation and reforms in the areas of welfare, abortion, and contraception. These advances afforded women an unprecedented measure of control over their lives, but also stimulated state intervention in reproduction. The attempts to restore national fortunes by means of biological politics shed new light on Weimar society and reveal new tensions between the sexes, classes, and generations. The increasing emphasis on eugenics reduced women's freedom by sacrificing individual aspirations to collective interests in the name of regeneration for the Volk."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 266-291) and index.