THE PAN-AMERICAN CHILD CONGRESSES, 1916 TO 1942 - PAN AMERICANISM, CHILD REFORM, AND THE WELFARE-STATE IN LATIN-AMERICA

The Pan American Child Congress provided a catalyst for child-focused welfare policies in Latin America. Originally organized by Argentine f eminists in 1916, the congresses soon attracted many physicians and le gal specialists concerned with topics such as infant mortality, child abandonment, and juvenile delinquency Although feminists insisted more than their male counterparts that Latin American governments solve al l the problems of children, both groups agreed in principle oil many i ssues. Furthermore, women's views became evident when Latin American m ale physicians met with their U.S. counterparts at a 1927 eugenics con ference in Cuba and refused to endorse highly racist and authoritarian measures. Instead, they worked through the child congresses and with women from the U.S. Children's Bureau. This led to protective legislat ion for children as well as a hemispheric Children's Code in 1948, ind icating a shift in focus from the obligations of the stare to the righ ts of children.