In the early twentieth century, unmarried women who had children were considered to be feebleminded or to suffer from mental problems. They were also thought more likely to give birth to children who were also feebleminded. Today, this attitude seems ridiculous. This is an example of

A) preventative medicine.
B) epidemiological change.
C) the social construction of mental illness.
D) a disease risk being amplified by social factors.

Social Construction

The theory that much of what is perceived as reality is shaped by the shared beliefs and attitudes of a society.

Mental Illness

A broad range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior, often resulting in distress and difficulty functioning in social, work, or family activities.

Feebleminded

Historically, "feebleminded" was a term used to describe individuals with what would now be recognized as various intellectual disabilities, though it is considered outdated and offensive today.