Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in History
Department
History
First Reader/Committee Chair
Dr. Alicia Gutierrez-Romine
Abstract
Women of color have suffered racial reproductive abuse by the hands of government-funded white supremacist institutions. From federal government agencies to the highest court of the land, they have all played a crucial role in the reproductive oppression of women of color and have failed to protect their bodily autonomy. This thesis examines legal cases like Buck v. Bell, Madrigal v. Quilligan, and Relf v. Weinberger to showcase how the bodies and reproductive capacities of women of color have been targeted and controlled under the guise of public health, to advance supposed economic stability, and through a racially charged eugenics movement.
This thesis analyzes federal policies, court decisions, and personal accounts to demonstrate that reproductive control stems not only from racism and sexism but also from a calculated approach to racial oppression. These effects persist today, influencing modern reproductive justice efforts. The U.S. government's inability to safeguard the reproductive rights of women of color underscores the enduring consequences of historical injustices and the critical need for institutional reform.
Recommended Citation
Alsheikh, Bshara, "Forced Sterilizations and Reproductive Control: A Legacy of Eugenics and White Supremacy in the United States" (2025). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 2198.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2198
Included in
History of Gender Commons, Legal Commons, Social Justice Commons, United States History Commons, Women's History Commons