Being an advocate for the mentally ill, I did a piece at a newspaper forum on health care and for the government to be able to help those that have mental problems. Many of the health insurances refuse to give medications and hospitalization for those that need it. A few people on the forum stated (adamantly) that the mentally ill should be sterilized so that they don't procreate. It really kind of blew my mind. What do you believe?
What I wrote is on my blog journel at http://enlightenedangel.bravehost.com
2007-05-22 16:57:02 · 5 answers · asked by starrdust2infinity 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Absolutely not! That is the worst thing I have ever heard. I, too, am an advocate for the mentally ill, as I have my BS in psych and am a Mental Health Specialist. Some of the patients I have are the sweetest, most caring people who just happen to have a mental illness. People should not be defined by their illness. People who are mentally ill are humans who just happen to have an illness. I've seen people with mental illness who function just fine, except when they just happen to have a relapse. This does not mean they should be sterilized. Many people with mental illness don't pass it down to their children. Do we sterilize all alcoholics because their children might just happen to also become alcoholics? NO! It is about education and ensuring the children of the mentally ill know the signs and symptoms to look out for so that when and if they begin to get sick they know what to do. People who think things like mentally ill people should be sterilize annoy me and are simply uneducated.
2007-05-22 17:20:25 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As someone diagnosed with clinical depression, my answer is....OF COURSE NOT!!!!! That's the whole problem with mental illness and how it's stigmatized. Just because someone has a mental illness does not make them an unfit parent. Who else should we sterilize? Who will be next? That's ridiculous! People with more serious mental illness than depression can lead normal lives if they stay on their meds, which they could if the insurance companies had a heart and wouldn't try everything they could to not pay for it. Mental illness is like any other illness. It can be treated.
2007-05-23 00:08:52 · answer #2 · answered by First Lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Um, no, they shouldn't be, being ill is not a reason that you should not be allowed to have a family. Many people that are "mentally ill" can lead a very productive life, and have the right to have and raise a family. I've been diagnosed with depression, that is a mental illness is it not? does that mean i don't have the right to have a family if i choose? no, it doesn't. technically you could say that i am "mentally ill", but i've battled and i believe conquered my illness, and i lead a very productive life. and i have the right to have a child if i wish.
2007-05-23 00:07:35 · answer #3 · answered by raynestorm73 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why spend the time and money to sterilize mentally challenged persons?
if a MC person is involved with someone, them and that someone deserve a chance at what everyone else in the world has
why waste the time and money on something that doesn't affect society? why circulate more drugs through our hospitals?
2007-05-23 00:09:09 · answer #4 · answered by mott mass 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ummm ...... that is what the Nazis believed. I thought we, as the human race, had already ruled that was stupid and cruel and makes no sense. Are we really back-sliding people??
2007-05-23 00:27:09 · answer #5 · answered by Sammy S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋