Can a mentally retarded man or woman raise a family?

Question

This is a question that's been puzzling me recently: Can a mentally retarded man or woman raise a family? I want to know whether or not retardation passes to one's children, or there would be problems.

Answer 1

I have a ten year old daughter with down syndrome and it has been puzzling me also. Some high achieving individuals are able to get married and raise children I have only found. scant information and it is a very controversial subject. Not to many studies of both parents being mentally retarded.Also not to many studies at all for either parnet being mentally disabled.and having children. The one study and thought to have good information. Was a study with 36 pregnancy's of down syndrome women 1- still born ... 3 miscarriages....1 slightly microcephaley. 1 normal child from a down syndrome father. 3 premature. 1 normal set of twins...13 normal.....10 down syndrome...2.mentalR.....1 normal with a mother with downs and father not downs but mental r dad

Answer 2

there is a high percentage of people who have mild mental retardation. These people can function well in life, and I believe capable of raising a family.
These adults would need support though from other family members, however, I do not think it is impossible for them not to raise children of their own with plenty of support and guidance.
Many things can cause mental retardation. I am not convinced that genetics is the deciding factor in all cases.

Answer 3

Of the 3% of the U.S. population being categorized as mentally retarded, a huge portion, 87%, are described as only being mildly retarded. These individuals have an IQ between 55 and 69 (Dorsey, Frank & Lake, 1998). These potential parents have an ability to love and care for people, just as the rest of the population. “People with mental retardation have the same basic legal, civil and human rights as other citizens. Fairness and justice dictate the need for additional legal protection to enable people with mental retardation to exercise such basic rights” (1998). Although the IQ disparity can be a severe limitation, it is not a predictor of the parenting abilities. The parenting “standard” is meeting “physical needs of the child, preserve the health and safety of the child, meet the emotional needs of the child, and promote intellectual growth of the child” (Hayman, 1990.) Many researchers and psychologists disagree with the fact that mentally retarded parents are prone to being a “bad” parent.

Answer 4

it can pass on to children and it may not be because of genetics. they may not know how to raise or pay attention to a child and do the wrong things that can be harmful out of ignorance. there is an example of this in the book "the boy who were raised as a dog." a mentally retarded mother who did most of the caretaking left her child at home 10+ hrs day without supervision be ages 0-4 out of ignorance and brought the older brother out. that child became a killer. it's a long story. read the book. empathy is developed in first 4 years.

Answer 5

It depends on the extent of the mental retardation, there are different levels. There are people who are mentally retarded who have gotten married and had children.

The likelihood of it being passed to their children? I don't know the exact figures, but I would assume it may be pretty high. That is why genetic testing would come in handy.

Answer 6

I would think it would be the level of mental retardation that individual was, what type of support to they have can they live on their own, are they just slow. The child would need a lot of interactions with all types of people because if that's all the stimuli that the child gets than the child will not learn as she should. It would all about support and level of functioning I think.

Answer 7

yes. after an evaluation done by a professional to determine where their brain can be taught to maintain the proper skills needed to raise a family. it depends on the person...being retarded does not make a person dumb....they can function properly, just not as fast as others....

Answer 8

Britney Spears lost custody of her children. Does that help you?

Answer 9

you should watch that movie with Sean Penn called "I Am Sam" it's soo good and it deals with this same issue.

Answer 10

its probley depending, but sometimes they can do it with help