Eugenics in Slovenia from the Perspective of Gender

Abstract

Examined are specific features of eugenics, both in slovenia and abroad, in the period between the First and the second world wars. An analysis of the texts written by Božo Škerlj indicates that one of the characteristics of a pathological (eugenically inferior) woman is sexual deviation, that is to say prostitution, which according to Škerlj is hereditary. His conclusions were fiercely criticized by Angela Vode who was a firm believer in the idea of socio-economic causes for prostitution. The article also touches upon the response of other slovene women to the theory of eugenics. Eugenics is viewed within the context of scientific discourse that strived to discipline women by precisely defining and controlling that which was identified as pathological.