Article ID: CBB001251923

Secret Suffering: The Victims of Compulsory Sterilization during National Socialism (2012)

unapi

From the second half of the 19th century, eugenics claimed the medical and social need to intervene in human reproduction. During National Socialism, 300,000--400,000 people in Germany were subjected to compulsory sterilization because they had psychological diseases, impairments and social behavioural problems, which were regarded as genetically determined. After the end of the Third Reich, these interventions were not recognized as National Socialist injustice, and the victims were initially excluded from `compensation'. As shown in letters and interviews, the victims of compulsory sterilization suffered physically and psychologically throughout their lives. In particular, feelings of social `inferiority', and of shame and suffering from compulsory childlessness and broken relationships, are found in many of the sources examined.

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Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001251923/

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Authors & Contributors
Koester, Carolyn Elizabeth
Barna Szamosi
Walsh, Sarah Irene
Engelbracht, Gerda
Wetzel, Norbert A.
Weiss, Sheila Faith
Concepts
Eugenics
Birth control; contraception; sterilization
National Socialism
Public health
Involuntary sterilization
Mental disorders and diseases
Time Periods
20th century, early
20th century
19th century
Places
Germany
United States
Great Britain
Connecticut (U.S.)
Weimar Republic (1919-1933)
Hungary
Institutions
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut für Anthropologie, Menschliche Erblehre und Eugenik
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