Issues in Fertility Control for Mentally Retarded Female Adolescents: II. Parental Attitudes Toward Sterilization

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Abstract
Knowledge of the issues involving sterilization for mentally retarded adolescents is limited. Data were obtained from 69 interviewed parents whose mentally retarded daughters were attending the Cincinnati [Ohio] Adolesent Clinic. Forty-six percent of the parents had considered sterilization for their daughters. Twenty-six percent were still seeking the operation. Interest in sterilization especially correlated with increased severity of retardation (P < 0.005) and with difficulty teaching menstrual hygiene (P < 0.005). Parents of mildly retarded females sought tubal ligation and those with severely retarded daughters chose hysterectomy and stressed their concern about menstrual management. Eight-five percent of the parents favored a state statute that would enable sterilization under certain conditions and limitations. In general, few parents supported either an extremely restrictive or permissive position about sterilization.

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