| Description |
The purpose of this study was to determine the need for and effectiveness of sterilization practices for the mentally retarded in Utah as viewed from the attitudes held by administrative and professional staff personnel at the Utah state Training School, Based upon the findings, recommendations concerning sterilization of the mentally retarded in Utah were then developed. This was an exploratory study of the attitudes held by administrative and professional staff personnel working with the mentally retarded at the Training School in American Fork. Data were collected through a two-dimensional questionnaire distributed to the population, Qualifying comments were also solicited from the respondents and used in presenting the findings. The respondents felt that the mentally retarded are not usually fit for parenthood However, they felt that unfitness for parenthood should not be the only consideration in deciding to authorize sterilization for the mentally retarded. It was strongly felt that professional evaluations from the psychological, social, and medical fields should be part of any recommendation for sterilization. The study also found that personnel from the Training School do not feel that there is a problem with respect to potential illegitimate pregnancies at the school. They also did not feel that oral contraceptives or contraceptive devices were acceptable alternatives to sterilization at present. A majority of the study population did feel that society does have a right to prevent procreation among the retarded. They also felt that the rights of n on-. institutionalized retardates should be protected through legal statutes to govern the practice of sterilization for the mentally retarded throughout the state. The study recommended that the decision to sterilize any retarded p8rson should be individualized to each person's situation. Parental desires should also be considered before initiating sterilization procedures. The study further recommended that sterilization practices should be expanded at the Training School to include more residents there. The need for the continued practice of sterilization for the mentally retarded was unanimously recognized. It was also suggested that the complexity of present procedures may be a limiting factor to expanding sterilization practices in Utah, but an adequate basis was felt to exist to justify the continuation and possible expansion of this practice. |
