The Birth Certificate: An American History, Susan J. Pearson.

"The Birth Certificate: An American History" by Susan J. Pearson is a comprehensive study of the birth certificate as a document that shapes our understanding of ourselves and our nation. Pearson explores how the birth certificate has been contested throughout its 400-year history, particularly in relation to issues of gender, race, and authority. The book draws on a wide range of primary sources and is divided into three sections: "Building Birth Registration," "Living with Birth Registration," and "Contesting Birth Registration." Pearson examines how birth registration has transformed family and community authority, and how it has been used as a tool for social control and discrimination. The book concludes by discussing the ongoing relevance of birth certificates in contemporary debates, such as the "bathroom bills" of the 21st century. Overall, "The Birth Certificate" provides valuable insights into the complex history and significance of this seemingly mundane document. [Extracted from the article]

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