Reproductive Rights and Incarcerated Parents’ Autonomy
Sterilization is a permanent form of birth control regarded as one of the most effective at
preventing pregnancies. The Stop Violence Against Women organization defines sterilization as
the permanent removal of one’s ability to reproduce without informed consent. Sterilization was
compulsory in the United States before the eugenic laws were removed. Other options of birth
control mostly used by the governments are Depo-Provera, IUDs and Norplant. Although
sterilization would be the best option for convicted parents, the government cannot be able to do
it forcefully because it contravenes human rights.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse as an act that causes physical, psychological, emotional harm, or even death to a minor. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, any forced form of birth control for inmates violates their reproductive autonomy (Finkelman, 2018). The World Health Organization (2014) states that sterilization should only occur with free, full, and informed consent from the individual.
Convicted parents should be allowed to make their own reproductive decisions without being forcefully sterilized. Parents who complete their jail terms may want to have children. Therefore, sterilization would deny them the opportunity to reproduce.
Reproductive Rights and Incarcerated Parents’ Autonomy
The government should recognize that it is the right of parents to avoid a pregnancy or pursue a
pregnancy when convenient.
In conclusion, forced sterilization is a violation of the reproductive freedoms of convicted
parents. The government is not above the law and should therefore be sensitive to the
reproductive freedoms of convicted parents. World Health Organization is among organizations
championing for complete elimination of forced sterilization. Regardless of the form of child
abuse, the court should decide whether to imprison, fine or terminate the parental rights fine or terminate the parental rights. APA