Cornell University Press The Wages of Motherhood - Cornell University Press History Book

Explore the complex history of the American welfare state in The Wages of Motherhood. Published by Cornell University Press, this book examines how maternalist social policy emerged from the intense gender and racial politics of the interwar period between 1917 and 1942. Author Gwendolyn Mink looks beyond standard institutional and class analyses to study the cultural dynamics that shaped these policies. While the movement for welfare provisions led to significant social gains, Mink argues that these changes also reinforced established patterns of racial and gender inequality. This work provides a deep look at how Anglo-American women navigated these changing social landscapes. This text is an essential resource for readers interested in women in history and the evolution of social policy. It offers a unique perspective on how political movements can create both progress and systemic challenges within the American welfare system.