Challenging “The Scarecrow of Official Science”: Carolina Muzilli’s social statistics and worker research in early 20th century Argentina

Abstract

This article analyses the intellectual trajectory of Carolina Muzilli, an activist for the rights of working-class women and children. Born in Argentina in 1889 into a working-class family, Muzilli wasn’t able to afford academic studies. She dedicated herself to developing research about the situation of child and female labor in Argentina, adopting techniques from social statistics developed by the Italian Alfredo Nicéforo, with the aim of showing, with scientific rigor, the social injustice that existed at the time. Muzilli also entered the field of eugenics studies, traditionally dominated by white men, to defend the neo-Lamarckian idea that the best eugenic factor for a strong population would be to improve the living conditions and education of the working classes. Through historical research procedures this study highlights her contributions and challenges during the first decades of the 20th century, presenting the intersection of gender and class in her struggle for social justice.

Keywords:
Carolina Muzilli History of Childhood; History of Women's Education; History of Education; women in science