quote:

Originally posted by rabbitjoker One should only have a child if they posses the financial capacity to raise the child through to independence with an average/above standard of living.

just the capacity ? or can we extend that to the desire as well ? for some i think it's moreso about sheer survival to procreate by whatever means

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Palm Trees > Pine Trees , Sand > Snow

quote:

Originally posted by Theresa do you think a mentally handicapped person is capable of raising a child?

thank you!

I honestly think that mentally challenged people should have childeren. there are many challenged people out there that i have seen go to college and hold high end jobs. if they can do this why cant they raise a baby? Sure they might need alittle support from family members and that but they are only human. I'm not sure what the risk of there childeren being the same way as themselves but i would have to say is just let them be human and have some off spring.

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Great dancers aren't great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.”

Wow, really interesting thread. Thanks for the introduction to Peter Singer, I'm definitely going to have to check out that reading.

As to the poll, I think ethically culture being what it is now, in the view of political correctness, they should be allowed the equal rights of anyone else, and those rights include offspring. However, it is my own personal belief that a child should not be raised by incompetents. There are far too many neglectful, stupid parents out there as it is, nevermind adding mentally handicapped ones to the equation. A child is a lot of work, love, and..um...WORK. It takes great effort and thought to raise a child well, and not to say that they would be unloving and uncaring parents, as the opposite is probably true, how can someone who is not 100% self-sufficient and prospering be expected to raise a healthy, well-adjusted child. I think this is maybe just a general opinion, and I'm sure that there are instances out there of the opposite. However, without the helpful influences of family and other support groups, I do believe that they are just incapable of doing a good job of it, and shouldn't.

Your poll question sucks! There are too many variables left unanswered to give proper consideration to the question. For instance.... what level of mental disability/condition are we talking about here (ie. schitzophrenia, autism, dyslexia, post traumatic stress disorder, downs syndrome.... are all mental disorders but clearly no one would oppose someone with dyslexia or depression having children). Additionally, the level of functioning must be considered..... example - many autistics cannot function in any meaningful way (they simply sit in one location and rock) while many others function very well (hold down jobs, live alone, have pets, cook their own meals, become concert pianists [okay that's not too common but has happened]). I cannot answer this poll and honestly think anyone who has made an illadvised decision in doing so.

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quote:

Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

I can't believe that this is a debate..

No.
and because of the obvious..

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www.laseraid.ca check it out with a Discovery Channel link.. Lasers to guide people out of fires.

quote:

Originally posted by runningman I can't believe that this is a debate.. No. and because of the obvious..

maybe we should have someone deem you unfit to parent as well?

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

yes

they are still human, not animals

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hello thar

quote:

Originally posted by Porky yes they are still human, not animals

Exactly

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quote:

Originally posted by jester Everything in this country is illegal.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill

‎"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill

who's gonna take care of the children once they are born?? Not them that's for sure..

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www.laseraid.ca check it out with a Discovery Channel link.. Lasers to guide people out of fires.

^^^ the same is true for ANY parent who does not adequately care for their children.

if we legislate against the mentally ill, then we must legislate against EVERY parent who would be unfit...teens, drug addicts, alcoholics, the economically challenged, the intellecually challenged, and even those who simply won't be "good parents".

from a practical standpoint, it's virtually impossible...so the answer remains that yes they should be allowed, but they (or their families) ought to exhibit some common sense and refrain from having children if they can't provide for them, just as any "normal" person should exercise the same judgement.