Parents' attitudes toward sterilization of their mentally retarded children

Parents' attitude toward sterilization and the sexuality of their retarded offspring were identified. Parent and child characteristics associated with these attitudes were investigated. A random sample of parents with mentally retarded offspring under age 40 was selected from three countries in southwestern Ontario. Of this sample 55 percent responded to a mailed questionnaire. Results indicated a high percentage of parental agreement with sterilization: involuntary sterilization, 71 percent; voluntary, 67 percent.