4/22/24, 1:14 PM DQ Sanger, Buck v.

Bell, and Osborn 10:30AM: Prescilla Pascua

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from DQ Sanger, Buck v. Bell, and Osborn 10:30AM Mar 17, 2024 2:21PM

1. The problem that Sanger and Osborn identify is that there has
been an increase of "undesirable traits" within the population.
According to Margaret Sanger, "The object of civilization is to obtain the
highest and most splendid culture of which humanity is capable" (Sanger
1923, 1). Having more intelligent people is desirable over mentally
deficient individuals as it is seen to promote progress in the human race.
However, having a society in which only intelligence thrives is unattainable
when it is the "unintelligent" that reproduce more and have bigger families.
A possible solution to this issue that both Sanger and Osborn discuss is
birth control. Sanger writes, "Given Birth Control, the unfit will voluntarily
eliminate their kind" (Sanger 1923, 1). This differs from the opinion of Buck
v. Bell because in that case, the state decides whether or not to sterilize
patients. According to the court's opinion, "The object of the Act is to
prevent the reproduction of mentally defective people" (Buck v. Bell 1927,
202). In this case, because the mentally deficient people are "incapable" of
making the decision to have children themselves, the state makes that
decision for them.

3. Some of the main assumptions that the authors have towards those
struggling mentally is that they don't have the capacity to think for
themselves and that they don't any emotion toward the subject of children.
Osborn writes how couples should have the freedom to educate
themselves on contraceptive methods if they are not seeking for a child,
"...except in the case of the feebleminded. The latter should certainly be
segregated to prevent reproduction, if they are not sterilized" (Osborn
1937, 391). Some couples have the privilege to choose to have a child or
not while mentally deficient individuals don't get that choice because of
their condition. The authors assume that they know what's best for the
these individuals since their condition leaves them incapable of thinking for
themselves. However, the authors' motives are entirely selfish and
disregards the wellbeing of the mentally ill. This relatively ties in with Du
Bois' "The Souls of Black Folk" because, just as the mentally deficient
people are seen as outcasts, so were African Americans. Both parties
constantly face the assumptions that people place on them and want to be
treated as equal to the rest of society.

https://canvas.asu.edu/courses/180828/assignments/4934776/submissions/879999 2/3
4/22/24, 1:14 PM DQ Sanger, Buck v. Bell, and Osborn 10:30AM: Prescilla Pascua

Q: What are some examples of eugenics that are present in our society
today?

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