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History Post-confederation (1867-)

Misconceptions

Unmarried Motherhood and the Ontario Children of Unmarried Parents Act, 1921-1969

by (author) Lori Chambers

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2007
Category
Post-Confederation (1867-)
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780802082466
    Publish Date
    Sep 2007
    List Price
    $43.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802044631
    Publish Date
    Sep 2007
    List Price
    $83.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442684577
    Publish Date
    Sep 2007
    List Price
    $74.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442690585
    Publish Date
    Sep 2007
    List Price
    $69.00

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Description

In 1921, despite the passing of legislation intended to ease the consequences of illegitimacy for children (Children of Unmarried Parents Act), reformers in Ontario made no effort to improve the status of unwed mothers. Furthermore, the reforms that were passed served as models for legislation in other provinces and even in some American states, institutionalizing, in essence, the prejudices evident throughout. Until now, historians have not sufficiently studied these measures, resulting in the marginalization of unwed mothers as historical subjects. In Misconceptions, Lori Chambers seeks to redress this oversight.

By way of analysis and careful critique, Chambers shows that the solutions to unwed pregnancy promoted in the reforms of 1921 were themselves based upon misconceptions. The book also explores the experiences of unwed mothers who were subjected to the legislation of the time, thus shedding an invaluable light on these formerly ignored subjects. Ultimately, Misconceptions argues that child welfare measures which simultaneously seek to rescue children and punish errant women will not, and cannot, succeed in alleviating child or maternal poverty.

About the author

Lori Chambers teaches at McMaster University. She is the author of Married Women and Property Law in Western Ontario.

Lori Chambers' profile page

Awards

  • Winner, Alison Prentice Award - Ontario Historical Society