Although the testimony of mental health experts in custody cases is supposed to be scientific and objective, the experts' testimony in the Mary Beth Whitehead case was imbued with prevailing middle-class biases about good mothers and good parenting. Close review of the experts' reports fails to substantiate many of their assessments and recommendations and demonstrates instead a consistent bias in favor of the Sterns and against Mary Beth Whitehead.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Brodzinski, D. 1987. In the Matter of Baby “M”, Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Chan. Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).
2.
Broverman, I. K.
, D. M. Broverman, F. E. Clarkson, P. S. Rosenkrantz, and S. R. Vogel.1970. “Sex-Role Stereotypes and Clinical Judgement of Mental Health.”Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology34: 1-7.
3.
Chesler, P.
1972. Women and Madness.New York: Doubleday.
4.
Chodorow, N.
1978. The Reproduction of Mothering.Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
5.
Corea, G.
1977. The Hidden Malpractice.New York: Harper.
6.
Grief, J. B. 1987. In the Matter of Baby “M”, Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Cham, Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).
7.
Gurslin, O.
, R. Hunt, and J. Roach.1959. “Social Class, Mental Hygiene and Psychiatric Practice.”Social Service Review33:237-244.
8.
Gurslin, O.
, R. Hunt, and J. Roach.1959-1960. “Social Class and the Mental Health Movement.”Social Problems7:210-218.
9.
In the Matter of Baby “M”. 1987. Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Chan. Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).
10.
Koplewicz, H. S. 1987. In the Matter of Baby “M”, Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Chan. Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).
11.
Levine, A. J. 1987. In the Matter of Baby “M”, Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Chan. Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).
12.
Rosenhan, D. L.1973. “On Being Sane in Insane Places.”Science179:250-257.
13.
Salk, L. 1987. In the Matter of Baby “M”, Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Chan. Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).
14.
Schechter, M. D. 1987. In the Matter of Baby “M”, Doc. No. FM-25314-86E (Chan. Div./Fam. Pt., Bergen Co. Supr. Ct. NJ).