Sterilization of Girls and Women With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

This article describes findings from empirical research examining sterilization applications for minors made to the Family Court of Australia between 1992 and 1999. Original materials and written reports from “experts,” family members, and judicial officers are used to highlight the dominant discourse and themes. These are compared with historical characterizations of young women with disabilities used during the notorious eugenics period in the first half of the 20th century. The new ways of justifying sterilization use the sanitized language of “best interests,” silencing constructionist approaches to disability and gender issues. The new ways are reminiscent of the old ways of discrimination, prejudice, and violation.