Citation

Roland E. Estud. Fem. 1995; 3(2): 506-514.

Vernacular Title

Direitos reprodutivos e racismo no Brasil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, CIEC, Escola de Comunicação, UFRJ)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12292357

Abstract

Sterilization in Brazil is discussed in a racial context and contrasted with the experience of the United States, demonstrating the historical differences between these two societies regarding race relations and reproductive rights. The American feminist Angela Davis referred to the control of fertility as genocide, especially as practiced in the first half of the 20th century. In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt characterized the drop of White fertility caused by rapid urbanization as racial suicide. In 1932 the development of the eugenic movement resulted in inducing 26 states to adopt compulsory sterilization laws for persons considered unfit for reproduction. Margaret Sanger, the protagonist of fertility control, advocated a program of compulsory sterilization for imbeciles, illiterates, criminals, epileptics, the mentally retarded, prostitutes, and drug traffickers. 7686 sterilizations were performed in North Carolina, of which about 5000 were performed on Blacks to prevent the reproduction of mentally retarded persons. It was only in 1974 that guidelines were drawn up to prevent sterilization abuses. Under federal programs 100,000-200,000 persons were sterilized in 1972, and 35% of Puerto Rican women of reproductive age underwent sterilization. In Brazil 44% of the population of 147 million is Black. In 1940 the White population was the majority, but by 1980 a steady increase of the mulatto population had occurred. From 1965 on the White population began to decrease both because of oral contraceptive use and intermarriage. The fertility rate of the mulatto population was 4.1% in 1980 and 2.3% in 1990, less than the 2.4% rate of whites. The total fertility rate (TFR) in Brazil was 3.5 children per woman in 1986, which dropped to 2.5 in 1991. In the northeast, where the majority of the population is Black, the TFR was 3.7 in 1991 vs. 7.5 in 1970. Although in Brazil racial intolerance is not acceptable, there is still inequality of opportunity for Blacks. In 1990, 69.2% of the women used contraception and 43.9% of them relied on sterilization, especially in the northeast.

Language: pt