"The Mother State and Her Weaker Children": Social Work and the Institutionalization of the "Feebleminded". (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yingling, Marissa E.
• Is Part Of: Affilia. Volume 31:Number 4(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: social work/social welfare history and philosophy -- research categories -- intellectual and developmental disabilities -- maternalism -- feminist standpoint theory; Social work with women -- Periodicals; Women social workers -- Periodicals; 362.8305
• DOI: 10.1177/0886109915604896
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-1099

Abstract

In the United States, the institutionalization of people labeled feebleminded gained significant momentum during the Progressive Era. In this article, I use a biographical approach to examine social work's role in the expansion of institutions for this population. I employ feminist standpoint theory to detail how the profession used its dominant standpoint—maternalism—as a political strategy to justify the segregation of people labeled feebleminded. Implications for future scholarship and for social work are presented.