A Thinking Reed

The debate no one wants to have?

Written by

Lee M.

in

Patricia E. Bauer writes about her experiences as a mother of a child with Down’s Syndrome in an age of prenatal testing.

If it’s unacceptable for William Bennett to link abortion even conversationally with a whole class of people (and, of course, it is), why then do we as a society view abortion as justified and unremarkable in the case of another class of people: children with disabilities?

She claims to have met people who think that parents have a duty to abort a child diagnosed with a disability like Down’s Syndrome. Is there a growing expectation that every child should be a “perfect” child? I honestly don’t know how prevalent such a sentiment is.

(link via 11D)

Comments

9 responses to “The debate no one wants to have?”

  1. Joshie

    Maybe I need to get out more but I haven’t met a single person who would say it’s even understandable to abort a downs syndrome child.

    Reply
  2. Lee

    That’s the problem with op-eds based on anecdotal evidence and/or personal experience – you have no reliable way to evaluate their claims.

    Reply
  3. Lee

    Which doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need to get out more…;-)

    Reply
  4. jack perry

    I have met such people.

    I also need to get out more.

    Reply
  5. Maurice Frontz

    I think that this is far more prevalent than our own anecdotes give it credit for. Maybe it’s just my cynical side, but I tend to believe those who tell these stories.

    Reply
  6. Joshie

    Beliving the anecdotes is not the same as believing such attitudes are actually commonplace. I belive her stories, I’m skeptical about her assertions based on those stories alone.

    must…let potentional straight line…lie…mustering all powers of self-control and respect for in-laws…

    Reply
  7. Lee

    “Straight-line”? Must be some kind of Hoosier expression I’m not familiar with…

    Reply
  8. Joshie

    straight-line, as in a line in a comedy bit someone says to set up a joke.

    There was a potentioanl straight-line in Jack’s comment that I could have used to make at least two jokes at his expense, but I refrained from so doing. Now, to reward my strength of character, I’m going to take a nap.

    Reply
  9. Lee

    Ah, gotcha. Truly your virtue is heroic!

    Reply

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