OLIVIA CAMPBELL ON THE CENTURY LONG BATTLE TO DISPROVE THAT ALL WOMEN WANT TO BE MOTHERS

VICE: THE CENTURY LONG BATTLE TO DISPROVE THAT ALL WOMEN WANT TO BE MOTHERS   by Olivia Campbell

EXCERPT: The concept of maternal instinct had figured prominently in scientific theories since the time of Charles Darwin.  Late 19th century psychologists believed women possessed a unique need to create and care for offspring.  In the late 1800's experts attempted to use biology to shore up this theory, positing that maternal instinct was located in the female reproductive organs.

Hollingsworth (Leta Hollingworth, a psychologist in the early 1900's) wasn't buying it.  "There is no verifiable evidence to show that a maternal instinct exists in women of such all-consuming strength and fervor as to impel them to voluntarily seek the pain, danger, and exacting labor involved in maintaining a high birth rate.  We should expect, therefore, that those in control of society would invent and employ devices for impelling women to maintain the birth rate."