Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

The Wright Stuff had an interesting discussion earlier as to whether some people should not be allowed to procreate.

I believe that, in the most extreme circumstances, some people should be prevented from having children.

The Wright Stuff focussed on the recent case where a paedophile convicted of having 137,000 indecent images of children was allowed to walk free because "he wants to start a family".

Other reasons may include past proven physical or emotional abuse, those giving birth to child after child without the means to look after them etc.

Arguments against this include the belief that the right to procreate is an essential human right.

What do others think?

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

have you procreated yet

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

I think that if some couple has a inheritable severe disability then maybe yes. Though who decides this and then how to prevent those people from procreating is probably a step too far. Eugenics anybody?

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Do i think that certain people shouldn't have children? Yes. Do i think it should actually be enforced? No. That's a road that can only lead somewhere very very dark.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

definitely not .Plenty of people should have children removed but never forcibly prevented from having children

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Isn't this proposal one of the basic tenets of a Fascist state?

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

What if the people have HIV or Aids?

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

http://mobile.aidsmap.com/HIV-and-ha...y/page/1044918

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

i voted yes but only for a very limited few the main one being where the person is mentally incapable of properly looking after themselves and or their mental age puts them in the range of not being able to consent. It would be far better to prevent in those circumstances than sort out later. which could either upset them more or leave a child at risk.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

I think of it this way..Having children is NOT a human right.However I am not prepared to live in a society that has forced eugenics.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Exactly how would you prevent anyone from 'procreating' ?

There was an interesting documentary on Downs syndrome last night, quality of life is in the eye of the beholder. Almost all that prescan positive for the syndrome abort. Maybe some of them should have watched this programme, with some very happy Downs syndrome families. Not against abortion, but life is precious, and nobody should judge what's good for someone else.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

i don't either as such and i don't think a physical disability is a reason to and though i think rapists and pedophiles should generally be locked up for good i would not be in favor of using it on them either. However i do think where the mental capability to even risk assess your self then it could be and though it may not be talked about this happens already in one form or another.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

You already have done, you're not that much younger than my aunt who was nearly sterilised for the crime of promiscuity as a teen, iirc they claimed it was a mental disorder. Think I may bring that up again when some one has the rose tinted specs on banging on about how great things used to be.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Why use 'procreating' in the title/proposition when 'having children' is clearer?

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Or even "Dropping sprogs" :D

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Procreation is making children yourself. But now it can include "test tube" babies, and moving the egg or fertilised egg to another womb.

"Having children" can include adoption?

Many birth defects were often fatal, but modern medicine can overcome the threat to life.

Our twins were born at 24 weeks gestation, normally a fatal situation.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Thanks for all the replies everybody, it's been interesting to read what people think and the reasons for their view.

Forum debating at its best!

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Yes it is ,says so here

http://www.un.org/en/development/des.../theme/rights/

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

You seem to be confusing legalities with moral standpoints.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

Err no .Both you and Maggie seem to be under the mistaken impression that having children is not a right ,well it is ,it is probably the most basic and important right we have ,legally and morally

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

you seem to miss the moral stand point, many things have been made legal at various points in history but they ( the laws) do not in themselves mean that all peoples moral view will change at the same time or ever.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

http://www.amnestyusa.org/research/h...f-human-rights

This maybe the case BUT this does not mean that the rights of the parent supersede those of the child..So some parents may be denied that right so as to protect the child's rights..because not every parent is a fit parent. so ergo is is not an automatic right..

However sterilisation is not something that should be chosen for an individual without their express wishes.

Re: Should people be prevented from procreating under any circumstances?
 

I accept that involuntary sterilisation is a very radical move, but believe that in some cases this should be considered eg serial child abusers.

Maybe a more socially acceptable compromise would be mandatory contraception or a warning that any child produced will be immediately taken into care (if it is discovered).

There have been cases in the news where father's have got their daughters pregnant and where 'sex slaves' and their offspring have been kept imprisoned.

One area of difficulty that I have is regarding severely mentally disabled adults.

These people do not have the capability to look after children and may even unintentionally harm them.

I believe that disabled people deserve the full support of society to lead a happy and independent life, however the needs and safety of children must come before the needs and desires of any adult.

These people are mentally incapacitated, but are still adults with sexual desires. They have not done anything wrong and are entitled to form emotional and sexual relationships with the right support.

I believe that what happens in practice is that contraception is administered to prevent any pregnancies (happy to be corrected if this is incorrect).

With the way the world is now AND HOW BAD IT IS,I dunno why anyone would be so selfish and bring an innocent child into it!!