Emily Murphy publishes "Overpopulation and Birth Control"

October, 1932. Emily Murphy, prominent Canadian feminist, suffragist and member of the "Famous Five," publishes her article "Overpopulation and Birth Control" in the Vancouver Sun while resident in Edmonton, Alberta. This article is an example of the engagement of eugenic topics by important Canadian figures and the public in the 20th century.

Murphy held that "race suicide" happened when the poor and mentally and socially "inferior" reproduced at a much faster rate than what she deemed the "human thoroughbreds." Murphy promoted the practice of eugenics, both in terms of selective breeding and active sterilization of these "inferior" members of society. Furthermore, she identified "mentally defective" children as a menace to society and a drain on the state.

In this article, she identified over-population as a fundamental problem in Canadian society. Within the article she stated that:
“Some of the opponents to the Sterilization Act had a good deal to say about private liberty, quite forgetful of the fact that social necessity is one of infinitely greater moment. Since I know of no way of driving home a nail other than by hammering it, let me emphasize again that insane people are not entitled to progeny.” (emphasis added)

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Murphy, E. (1932, October 1). Overpopulation and Birth Control. Vancouver Sun.

Emily Murphy publishes "Overpopulation and Birth Control"

October, 1932. Emily Murphy, prominent Canadian feminist, suffragist and member of the "Famous Five," publishes her article "Overpopulation and Birth Control" in the Vancouver Sun while resident in Edmonton, Alberta. This article is an example of the engagement of eugenic topics by important Canadian figures and the public in the 20th century.

Murphy held that "race suicide" happened when the poor and mentally and socially "inferior" reproduced at a much faster rate than what she deemed the "human thoroughbreds." Murphy promoted the practice of eugenics, both in terms of selective breeding and active sterilization of these "inferior" members of society. Furthermore, she identified "mentally defective" children as a menace to society and a drain on the state.

In this article, she identified over-population as a fundamental problem in Canadian society. Within the article she stated that:
“Some of the opponents to the Sterilization Act had a good deal to say about private liberty, quite forgetful of the fact that social necessity is one of infinitely greater moment. Since I know of no way of driving home a nail other than by hammering it, let me emphasize again that insane people are not entitled to progeny.” (emphasis added)

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Murphy, E. (1932, October 1). Overpopulation and Birth Control. Vancouver Sun.

Emily Murphy publishes "Overpopulation and Birth Control"

October, 1932. Emily Murphy, prominent Canadian feminist, suffragist and member of the "Famous Five," publishes her article "Overpopulation and Birth Control" in the Vancouver Sun while resident in Edmonton, Alberta. This article is an example of the engagement of eugenic topics by important Canadian figures and the public in the 20th century.

Murphy held that "race suicide" happened when the poor and mentally and socially "inferior" reproduced at a much faster rate than what she deemed the "human thoroughbreds." Murphy promoted the practice of eugenics, both in terms of selective breeding and active sterilization of these "inferior" members of society. Furthermore, she identified "mentally defective" children as a menace to society and a drain on the state.

In this article, she identified over-population as a fundamental problem in Canadian society. Within the article she stated that:
“Some of the opponents to the Sterilization Act had a good deal to say about private liberty, quite forgetful of the fact that social necessity is one of infinitely greater moment. Since I know of no way of driving home a nail other than by hammering it, let me emphasize again that insane people are not entitled to progeny.” (emphasis added)

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Murphy, E. (1932, October 1). Overpopulation and Birth Control. Vancouver Sun.