Institutionalization, involuntary sterilization, and mental retardation: profiles from the history of the practice

For much of the 20th century, the practice of sterilization was a common accompaniment to institutionalization for individuals with mental retardation. Following the Supreme Court's decision in Buck v. Bell (1927) supporting the practice, numerous states passed legislation and, consequently, over 60,000 individuals with mental retardation were sterilized in this country. In the present study we analyzed data on 212 individuals in Virginia who were sterilized. Our focus included gender, age at and date of sterilization, level of mental retardation, and location of subsequent discharge. The nature of these findings within the general context of the practice of sterilization was discussed.