Should mentally handicapped people have or be allowed to have children?

Feel free to explain your position, and no flaming someone for their perspective please.

Damnit, why didn't you add my option!?

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If you're interested in questions like this - you should read the book:

Practical Ethics by Peter Singer

Peter Singer's remarkably clear and comprehensive Practical Ethics has become a classic introduction to applied ethics since its publication in 1979 and has been translated into many languages. For this second edition the author has revised all the existing chapters, added two new ones, and updated the bibliography. He has also added an appendix describing some of the deep misunderstanding of and consequent violent reaction to the book in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland where the book has tested the limits of freedom of speech. The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions.

Read this for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Singer

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quote:

Why not? Usually its a fluke that they are that way, not heriditary.

- Jayx1

This isn't really the concern I am addressing.

What I would like to know is, do you think a mentally handicapped person is capable of raising a child?

quote:

Originally posted by rabbitjoker If you're interested in questions like this - you should read the book: Practical Ethics by Peter Singer Peter Singer's remarkably clear and comprehensive Practical Ethics has become a classic introduction to applied ethics since its publication in 1979 and has been translated into many languages. For this second edition the author has revised all the existing chapters, added two new ones, and updated the bibliography. He has also added an appendix describing some of the deep misunderstanding of and consequent violent reaction to the book in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland where the book has tested the limits of freedom of speech. The focus of the book is the application of ethics to difficult and controversial social questions.

What is his point on this? and yours?

no

Edit: I'd add stupid people to this as well, but unfortunately we don't have the means to weed those out yet.

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quote:

Originally posted by Cosmic Fur no

Why not?

I am a little on the fence with this one myself.

I am unsure if I think it would be right to enforce a rule of not allowing a mentally handicapped individual to have a child. However, ************, I do not think that a mentally handicapped person is at the capacity to raise another life, and therefore should not have kids.

quote:

Originally posted by Theresa - Jayx1 This isn't really the concern I am addressing. What I would like to know is, do you think a mentally handicapped person is capable of raising a child?

well it takes 2 to make a baby. On top of that look at all the welfare mothers the state supports. Why should mentally handicapped be treated differently?

What if someone suggested that single mothers on welfare have their tubes tied?

___________________

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

quote:

Originally posted by Theresa Why not?

My parents are in well mental health (well, they were before they had me and my sister), and even they're struggling with us. There are a lot of mental handicaps, ranging from severe to not so severe. Instead of trying to figure out what is severe or not to be able to have children, I'm putting on a blanket statement not allowing anybody diagnosed as mentally unstable to have children. Yes, it puts a minority at a disadvantage, but life ain't fair.

___________________
I'm the trouble starter, fuckin' instigator.
I'm the fear-addicted, danger illustrated.

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 well it takes 2 to make a baby. On top of that look at all the welfare mothers the state supports. Why should mentally handicapped be treated differently? What if someone suggested that single mothers on welfare have their tubes tied?

See, another point I am not addressing. I don't care how they fair financially, I am talking about their abilty to rear a child. I don't think someone who is mentally unstable can raise a child properly.

My viewpoint is the same across the board (handicapped or not)

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.

___________________
- rabbit.joker [funny¿rabbit] | www.rabbitjoker.com |www.ddtt.org

Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).