# Eugenics and Humaniculture in Moving the Mountain

> Theme guide for Moving the Mountain by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

The text advocates for the scientific improvement of the human race through selective breeding, prevention of 'defective' births, and the systematic, government-led 'cultivation' of children, presenting this as a moral and social necessity.

## Where it surfaces

- [Chapter III: The New World Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/iii): Discussion of improving the population through selective immigration and biological principles.
- [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/v): Owen describes the new science of 'Humaniculture,' where women must have a diploma to care for children, and the passing of laws requiring a clean bill of health for marriage, reflecting eugenic ideals.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vi): The chapter mentions the 'commission on human efficiency' and the idea of 'humaniculture,' reflecting the early 20th-century eugenics movement to improve the human stock.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vii): Nellie's explanation of dealing with 'hopeless degenerates' and 'perverts' reflects the eugenicist ideology of the time, framed as a merciful and practical social policy.
- [Chapter IX: The New Education and Child-Culture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/ix): Nellie's outline includes improving the human stock through healthy mothers and specialized care, reflecting eugenic ideals of the time.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/themes/eugenics_and_humaniculture
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/themes