Should A Person With Learning Difficulties Be Sterilised?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10247073/Man-with-learning-difficulties-to-be-sterilised-in-unprecedented-court-ruling.html

If both parties (as in this case) have learning difficulties, why should just the man be sterilised?

Note it was a female judge who made this ruling, imagine the outcry had a male judge made the same ruling, but focused on just the female?

[woofgang]

He could not know what a vasectomy was but still know that he wanted to continue to have a sexual relationship with his partner without it resulting in any more children. I think that the decision in this case is sensible, right and kind.
Those of us who worked with people with learning difficulty when there was no consideration that they should be allowed to have a sexual life and remember the terrible sadness and stress that caused, also the enforced abortions will know what a good decision this was.

[anotheoldgit]

triggerhippy

/// He may not stay with the woman is a rather obvious answer. ///

And what about the woman she would still be able to bear children?

[Barmaid]

The woman was not a party to these proceedings! The Court couldn't just force their view on a non-party.

[Octavius]

Perhaps she is the subject of a different applicaiton.

[anotheoldgit]

Mamyalynne

/// he has said it is what he wants. ///

No he has said he doesn't want any more children, not that he wants a vasectomy.

There is a big difference.

[ummmm]

It doesn't mention the extent of the womans learning disabilities.

[McMouse]

Take a walk around Watford and the case for compulsory sterilisation becomes apparent.

[ummmm]

Vasectomy is just a word. I'm sure it was explained in a language he could understand. Just like I explained to my 7 year old daughter what her operation would entail. She understood.

[Octavius]

AOG, he doesn't want any nmore children but does not have the capacity of mind to know or remember how to use contraception. What else do you suggest celibacy ?

[Mamyalynne]

AOG, pick on my wording all you like , he does not want any more children and vasectomy is the safest and simplest route to this, what do you propose - lock him away ?

[Zacs-Master]

So, should your OP have read 'Should a person with learning difficulties be forced to have a vasectomy as a way of sterilisation' which is COMPLETELY different. It might be better if you thought out what you want from a question before posting it.

[EDDIE51]

Mental age of 6 to 9 yet he knows how to have sex, can he understand that sex equals more babies?

[anotheoldgit]

Zacs-Master

/// Exactly Octavius. A 'non' question. ///

Oh so this is yet another 'Non Question' from AOG eh?

Since this is the only time this type of thing has been granted, it is not worth questioning?

Perhaps this should set a precedence, why not sterilise every one who has learning difficulties?

At the risk of introducing 'Godwin's Law' wasn't there once a monster who was all in favour of this type of thing?

[B00]

Hardly AOG, I'm unaware of any of Hitler's Jewish "friends" who died voluntarily!

[woofgang]

Octavius, that used to be the expected enforced solution. You may imagine how badly it worked! I will try to put the next bit as tactfully as possible. People who have learning difficulty and the mental age (hate that term) of a child may also have the outlook and impetuosity of a child too. Imagine that coupled with the sexual development and needs of an adult...a very difficult and unhappy circumstance. 30 or so years ago I was involved with a day centre for people with moderate to severe learning difficulty. It was quite advanced for its time and gave the clients as much freedom and choice as they possibly could. In the summer they would spend their lunch breaks (it was an employment centre) on the front lawn because that was where the sun was
Local men used to cruise the street that it was in and lure the clients into their cars...the problem was that there were some clients, both men and women, who wanted to go. They understood the pleasure of sex and wanted the offered sweets, but had no concept of VD or pregnancy.

[Mamyalynne]

By agreeing with the outcome in this case, in no way do I think it sets a precedent for a blanket approach in the future. There is no simple yardstick to the many and varied learning disabilities and each will have to be considered on it's own merits.

[ummmm]

Eddie...surely the urge to have sex comes with puberty and age. Just because he has the mind of a child he has the body of a man and all the hormones that go with that.

[Zacs-Master]

Oh so this is yet another 'Non Question' from AOG eh? Yep.

If you read the facts, and at the risk of repeating many answers, it was HIS decision. You seem to be trying to paint a picture of some great injustice and there simply isn't one.

As for the female male aspect I have no idea what your twisted mind was trying to make out of this but again this is a 'non' aspect of the situation.

And as for the Godwin reference, I can't even be bothered to speculate what you meant as its so way off to be meaningless.

[Octavius]

AOG "Perhaps this should set a precedence, why not sterilise every one who has learning difficulties?"

No, as said by so many.

[Barmaid]

//Perhaps this should set a precedence, why not sterilise every one who has learning difficulties? //

You clearly miss the point that in the Court of Protection cases are *fact* sensitive, based on the tests laid down in the Mental Capacity Act. I haven't read the judgement yet, but I cannot see that it could possibly said to be a precedent for sterilising all those with learning difficulties.