Abstract

DOVIO, Mariana-Ángela. Dangerous Women and Women in Danger in the Anales de Biotipología, Eugenesia y Medicina Social, Buenos Aires (Argentina), 1933-1943. Historelo.rev.hist.reg.local [online]. 2022, vol.14, n.30, pp.177-213.  Epub May 03, 2022. ISSN 2145-132X.  https://doi.org/10.15446/historelo.v14n30.93974.

Medical and political concerns about low natality rate and the dangers that lack of social and economic support for women entailed-especially, for the unmarried ones, new mothers or mothers-to-be-as well as the eradication of certain customs considered to be dangerous, such as prostitution, came to be associated with eugenic-related discourses in Buenos Aires in the 1930s. The Anales de Biotipología, Eugenesia y Medicina Social constituted one major piece in the literature on eugenics, and had simultaneous cooperation of academics and medical professionals between the years 1933 and 1943. From an approach that understands discourse as being a social practice, the aim of this analysis is to study how one singular notion of women reckoned to be in danger and women regarded as being dangerous was developed from which a motherly ideal was fostered, finding prime support in the description and care of the body. Whereas biotypological and endocrinological references- resulting from academic works-were used for women deemed dangerous, social and medical practices carried out in maternal care were used for the women considered in danger, which boosted the insertion of eugenics in the health field, by means of women's education and premarital screening programs, among others.

Keywords : women; eugenics; maternity; natality; Argentina; 20^th century.

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