NCJ Number
151280
Date Published
1993
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This paper explores the ways in which the media, elected officials, and the public have developed views about pregnant crack users and concludes that the race, class, and gender images that constitute crack mothers have been used to stimulate resentments already stirring among extreme conservatives in their attacks on low-income people, minority groups, and women.
Abstract
The image of the crack mother has been used in discussions of the magnitude of the crack problem and the nature of its consequences for mothering, pregnancy, and child rearing. Although many of the claims are inaccurate, they have had an extremely important political role in launching the second War on Drugs. In addition, by mobilizing support for prosecuting pregnant crack users, these ideas have helped divert attention from the shortcomings of the War on Drugs. Notes and 40 references