Sterilization Essay Example

Summary of the Article

The article is about the eugenics movement that happened around the 1930s. This movement is for the theory of selective reproduction in a belief that it will hypothetically improve the human race and only people with desirable traits shall reproduce. A quote that best describes the eugenics movement is “The promise of eugenics at the very earliest is: ‘We could do away with all the state institutions — prisons, hospitals, asylums, orphanages,’” Lombardo said. “People who were in them just wouldn’t be born after awhile if you sterilized all of their parents.”  (Associated Press, 2021). States like California, North Carolina and Virginia supported the movement and sterilized woman with different types of dysfunctions (mental and physical), they also didnt give full disclosure to the young girls. The article focuses on the reparations that California is facing. While most arent alive to receive the reparations a $4.5 millon budget is set for the ones that are still alive.

Analysis of the three Sociological Pardigms

From this story, we see conflict theory emphasised by how the different social inequalities contributed to this devastating act, if those girls were informed or educated on what being barren is they wouldnt be nonchalant about it and even if it was coerced, if the inequality didnt exist they wouldnt be put in that position. Majority that were undesired for reproduction were from a lower class(orphanages, prisons...etc) and the decision-makers are the bourgeoisie.  From a symbolic interactionist theory, Mary Franco who was a victim to the eugenic movement at the age of 13 was labeled “feeble minded because of sexual deviance” which after years it was found out she was molested by a neighbor. The constructivism is that the person who labeled her only saw their own reality which also probably damaged how the 13-year-old Franco perceived herself. From a structural Functional approach, I could only see from a perspective of how the $ 4.5 million was generated for reparations, even if it is tax money people had to work together to meet their needs and pay tax for it. 

My Thoughts

Conflict theory claims a utopia for this side of the world, to be without social inequality seems impossible. Symbolic interactionism can better explain how we are all shaped by different approaches and how the little things influence us to make our personality. The structural-functional theory seems the most common in the modern world and capitalist countries tend to lean towards this but since there cant be equilibrium in this theory it’s bound to be criticized by the conflict theory. My overall view from this is that no one is entitled to dictate if another should have offspring, only the maker of humans. Even in an attempt for the betterment of humanity. The only entitlement everyone should have is the betterment of themselves (Physically and mentally), that’s the only way humanity can be better.

Citation

Associated Press. (2021, July 8). Calif. to pay victims of forced, coerced sterilizations. WTTV CBS4Indy; WTTV CBS4Indy. https://cbs4indy.com/news/politics/calif-to-pay-victims-of-forced-coerced-sterilizations/