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Should Adults With Mental Retardation Raise Children?
Posted on 12/29/2001 9:38:40 PM PST by paltz
I'm throwing this question out here, because of this recent movie release "I Am Sam", and I have heard mixed reactions...so below is a quick synopsis and a link to the movie's official site.
SUMMARY OF I AM SAM
Premise: This is the story of a disabled man (Penn) with the mental capacity of a 7-year-old who is facing a hearing to regain custody of his young daughter, taken away from him by the local social services. The attorney (Pfeiffer) who takes his case pro bono finds herself learning some lessons about parenting as well. (source: The Hollywood Reporter, 12/6/00) (Schiff plays the prosecuting attorney; Hutchison plays "Ifty", a friend who has severe ADD)
TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: iamsam; moviereview
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1
posted on
12/29/2001 9:38:40 PM PST
by
paltz
To: paltz
That this is a matter for serious discussion is an indicator of the fix our country is in - wow!
2
posted on
12/29/2001 9:41:54 PM PST
by
185JHP
To: paltz
Should Adults With Mental Retardation Raise Children? No, obviously.
To: paltz
Well, I suppose the sensible (versus the Leftie emotional feelings-based response) response would be to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel comfortable allowing a 7-year old to be the primary care-giver for a another child?"
To: paltz
Why don't you like the NEA?
To: paltz
I say it's the parents right. A retarded person can be a good parent. I saw it in my neighborhood. The mother of a child was retarded and the father crippled by Polio and pretty much illiterate. Their healthy daughter has a college diploma.
To: paltz
A seven year old could not properly raise a child so you answered your own question. NO!
7
posted on
12/29/2001 9:46:09 PM PST
by
A CA Guy
To: paltz
This is a serious question. At what parental IQ score are you going to say that the state should be able to take away the kid from the parent? This is a very slippery slope.
General principle: if the parent is not a criminal and the child is not being abused, the state can't interfere. Fear that the parent's stupidity might endanger the child is not enough of a reason.
To: Thane_Banquo
But if they are biologically capable to have children, social services sholud always step in to take them away from the parent. For that matter...if we are talking about pro-life-versus pro-choice what if the retarded adult does not want to abort any children? Will the government step in to make sure they can't have children?
9
posted on
12/29/2001 9:47:21 PM PST
by
paltz
To: Chad Fairbanks
You nailed it.
Now, the next question is should the parent (or legal guardian) of mentally impaired person be able to get that person sterilized?
Obviously, yes IMO.
10
posted on
12/29/2001 9:50:16 PM PST
by
Dianna
To: paltz
I know I would NEVER advocate Eugenics and/or Forced Sterilization... and I wouldn't want anyone around me who would...
To: cva66snipe
The one with polio was the one that made the good decisions. I doubt they were illiterate as you might think. If one of the couple was retarded and the other had full falculties it could work out. Depends on the functioning level of the retarded person and if they understood what is a danger to a young person.
Like sitting on them, dropping them, choking them and such other problems to be overcome.
12
posted on
12/29/2001 9:51:42 PM PST
by
A CA Guy
To: Dianna
See reply number 11... it would open the door to unimaginable horror... such as another Reich. In the early 1930s, members of my family were considered "Unfit to reproduce" and were sterilized. The reason? They were American Indians who had the misfortune to reside in Vermont. originally, the program was for Mentally Retarded People, but later got expanded... no way will I agree with Forced Sterilizations... No way.
To: A CA Guy
The one with polio was the one that made the good decisions. I doubt they were illiterate as you might think. If one of the couple was retarded and the other had full falculties it could work out. Depends on the functioning level of the retarded person and if they understood what is a danger to a young person. Like sitting on them, dropping them, choking them and such other problems to be overcome. It took place in the 1960's. The man could barely move the mom was pretty bad off. True her husband probably made the decissions. But a person with the mental capacity of a 7 year old will be living with assistance anyway right? This is too thin a line to be making decessions for others. The least of which I would trust would be the government to decide who is fit.
To: Thane_Banquo
The Blyths did.
15
posted on
12/29/2001 10:00:33 PM PST
by
Leisler
To: cva66snipe
The least of which I would trust would be the government to decide who is fit.Amen.
To: VeritatisSplendor
I'm with you:
"If the parent is not a criminal and the child is not being abused, the state can't interfere."
Freedom Award nomination.
17
posted on
12/29/2001 10:01:50 PM PST
by
dasboot
To: dasboot
However, if the child is, for example, not being taught to read, could that be considered abuse? I ask this in seriousness... My personal opinion is yes, but what is your opinion on that??? Part of the problem with CPS and the like is how they define 'abuse'...
Comment #19 Removed by Moderator
To: Chad Fairbanks
Yes, there is a slippery slope. But if I were the parent of a mentally retarded person (dependent wholly upon me), who couldn't comprehend birth control, I would want that power.
Sorry. It sounds like a nightmare scenario to me.
20
posted on
12/29/2001 10:13:32 PM PST
by
Dianna
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