Abstract

Beat the Devil

This article focuses on the issues of sterilization, Norplant and welfare in the United States, with specific reference to Aid to Family with Dependent Children (AFDC) programs. Today, the social cleansers are invoking modern technology to purge of evils of the society, as a result of which, Norplant capsules substitutes for grosser attacks on women's fertility. The argument of the social cleansers is that welfare mothers have babies to accrue more benefits. These babies ultimately repeat the cycle. The response is to curtail the babies by cutting the welfare benefits; and to end the cycle by ending welfare. The U.S. is at a critical stage in the evolution of policies regarding this issue. The article further focuses on child abuse in New Jersey and sterilization in Colorado.