Can adults with intellectual disabilities have and raise children?
Most adults with intellectual disabilities have the biological ability to reproduce, that is, to conceive and bear offspring. Each state has established laws governing a person’s capacity to consent that may prevent an individual from engaging in sexual activity with another person, including sexual intercourse. Reproduction is only one of very many aspects of sexual expression. Sometimes a disproportionate amount of attention is given to this aspect of sexuality to the neglect of other more pressing and frequently occurring aspects of sexuality, responsibility, safety, enjoyment and personal choices. Adults with intellectual disabilities also have the legal right to have and raise the child. A state, however, may step in under its “parens patriae” power, to remove the child from parental care if abuse or neglect occurs. (State child protective agencies are authorized to assure that children are safe from endangering actions of their parents or caregivers.) Often parents with intellect
Most adults with intellectual disabilities have the biological ability to reproduce, that is, to conceive and bear offspring. Each state has established laws governing a person’s capacity to consent that may prevent an individual from engaging in sexual activity with another person, including sexual intercourse. Reproduction is only one of very many aspects of sexual expression. Sometimes a disproportionate amount of attention is given to this aspect of sexuality to the neglect of other more pressing and frequently occurring aspects of sexuality, responsibility, safety, enjoyment and personal choices. Adults with intellectual disabilities also have the legal right to have and raise the child. A state, however, may step in under its “parens patriae” power, to remove the child from parental care if abuse or neglect occurs. (State child protective agencies are authorized to assure that children are safe from endangering actions of their parents or caregivers.) Often parents with intellect
