Feminists and Neo-Malthusians: Past and Present Alliances

Abstract

This study examines the interaction between US feminists and US neo-Malthusians from the early 20th century through the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in order to reveal long-term changes in movement interactions and to identify conditions that are conducive and those that are detrimental to the development and flourishing of alliances. After an introduction the paper presents an analysis of interactions in four time periods. The first period is the early 20th century when feminists were concerned with gaining suffrage and neo-Malthusians were contending with such population movements as eugenics and immigration restriction to control the composition of the population. Next is the 1945-65 period which saw a quiet between neo-Malthusians and the mildly planned parenthood movement. The third period 1965-74 was characterized by a growth in the neo-Malthusian movement and a revival of feminism accompanied by feminist critiques of international population programs. During 1974-85 neo-Malthusianism reached a turning point as birth control was firmly ensconced within the international individual human rights rhetoric and a pro-choice creed became mandatory for feminists. Finally 1985-95 saw a further weakening of the neo-Malthusian ideology accompanied by the elaboration of a feminist population policy and implementation strategy. The durability of the current alliance between neo-Malthusianists and feminists is then considered in light of the extent to which they share an ideology and goals and can call forth mutual benefits. It is concluded that neo-Malthusians and feminists are neither natural allies or natural enemies and that the current alliance is fragile and unlikely to endure changed circumstances. However the growth and consolidation of the global society may strengthen this alliance.