Ok...have a serious question...just curious as to what others think

[mytasteislikecandy]

Profoundly Normal

I just watched this movie, Profoundly Normal, on CBS. It was about a mentally challenged couple, an interracial one at that, who grow up in an institution together, fall in love, get married, and have a baby. In the movie, which is a true story, the institution they live in says that they are not allowed to get married, because it is their rule. The couple goes ahead anyway and begin their lives together. Then, when they get pregnant, the doctors tell them they should probably have an abortion, because of the chances that the baby may have problems. The couple refuses, and the child comes out perfectly normal. One of the statistics stated in the movie is that 1 out of 10 children born to couples that are BOTH mentally deficient in some way are also challenged. ONLY 1 out of 10.

Based on this, what are your feelings about challenged couples getting married and living normal lives? Many states do not allow this type of union, and I'm just curious as to the thoughts we as "normal" people have about this. I personally think that it shouldn't be up to a state or an institution to decide who can and cannot be married. If the couple is functioning in society, then they should have the same choices other people have as well. Who are we to limit their already limited lives?

Any thoughts?

Thanks....

MTILC

 

[RastaPope]

Let 'em marry, but I would take the kid away, give 'em visitation.

 

[mytasteislikecandy]

Let 'em marry, but I would take the kid away, give 'em visitation.

Even if they'd proven that they were responsible with the child, and able to provide for the baby without any problems whatsoever?

 

[modest mouse]

I dont believe in state sanctioned marriage.

 

[lobito]

the excuse would probably be, "it's human nature" or some such fucked up term, to say... "It's ok for us to be nosy about everyone elses' lives".

The truth is, we have no right to butt into each others' lives. This has been a common message over the last week or so here at Lit. If it aint you or your family, then stay the fuck out of it.

 

[Angel]

Let 'em marry, but I would take the kid away, give 'em visitation.

Uh, not every 'challenged' person is incapable of raising a child.


I'm sure plenty of them are more capable than 'normal' people, considering the shit that has been going on lately.

 

[medjay]

Plenty of "normal" couples do a great job of fucking up their children's lives with bad parenting.

 

[RastaPope]

I'm not saying they'd be bad parents. They'd probably be pretty good.

It's the kid I'm thinking about.

 

[Angel]

I'm not saying they'd be bad parents. They'd probably be pretty good.

It's the kid I'm thinking about.

If they're mentally and physically capable of ensuring their children are safe and well-taken care of, there is no problem, the kid will be fine. Why rip it away from its parents for no reason.

I would think that would be a bit more negative than allowing to live with parents who were "challenged."

 

[RastaPope]

I'm not disagreeing he'd be loved and well taken care of. But there have to be some sort of emotional development issue that stems from having retarded parents. The shit he'd get from his buddies at school, the rebelling as a teenager, I just don't see it happening that they could effectively raise a child once he hits a certain age. All based on how "challenged" they are, of course.

 

[lobito]

taking a child away from "challenged" parents is not doing what's "best for the child". It's a form of discrimination in a way.

 

[Silverlily]

Considering not that long ago, my husband and I would not have been allowed to marry (interracial), I think states should mind their own business. As long as the child is recieving proper care (and this goes for anyone, regardless), who's to say who should and should not have children?

 

[Angel]

The shit he'd get from his buddies at school,

Children of gay people, interracial couples and Pamela Anderson should also be taken away from their parents to avoid ridicule at school.

 

[medjay]

A couple of weeks ago they found a young child in a foster home here. He was malnourished and had been chained to his bed for days. His "guardian" had chained him to the bed to keep him from going into the refrigerator. Then she "forgot" about him for a couple of days.

This is a "normal" woman according to the powers that be.

 

[RastaPope]

Children of gay people, interracial couples and Pamela Anderson should also be taken away from their parents to avoid ridicule at school.

You're comparing apples and oranges. It's one thing to be mixed, it's another to have retards as parents. Think about how kids are, for a second. Most kids don't care about color, but I defy you to find who groups of junior high school students who don't think retarded people are funny.

 

[d_arthur]

There has to be a line drawn somewhere. Like RastaPope, I think it depends on how "challenged" they are. As long as the parents are held to the same (legal) standards that other parents are, I'd have no issue with it.

 

[Angel]

medjay is that an Aeon Flux eyeball?

 

[mytasteislikecandy]

Exactly....the kid in the movie grew up to be happy and very intelligent. He and his parents travel the country together now lobbying for challenged ppl's rights. He actually even helped teach his parents some things....when he did his homework, he'd do it with them so that they could learn and experience things too.

It is kind of like saying that interracial couples shouldn't have children because of the harrassment they'll get in the world. I think we need to face up to the fact that NO MATTER WHAT, children will get teased for something in their lives. Race, size, sex, their name, the way they talk, dress, walk. So, trying to protect them isn't going to work. There is no protection in our world.

 

[medjay]

medjay is that an Aeon Flux eyeball?

You betcha!

 

[Angel]

You're comparing apples and oranges. It's one thing to be mixed, it's another to have retards as parents. Think about how kids are, for a second. Most kids don't care about color, but I defy you to find who groups of junior high school students who don't think retarded people are funny.

You can't possibly deny that there was a time not long ago at all that being interracial was probably the worst thing you could be in a school, and the kid would get shit from both races.

 

[RastaPope]

You can't possibly deny that there was a time not long ago at all that being interracial was probably the worst thing you could be in a school, and the kid would get shit from both races.

Sure, that was then. This is now. Kids laughed at retards 30 years ago, they'll be laughing in another 30 if we haven't fixed it with gene work.

 

[lobito]

You're comparing apples and oranges. It's one thing to be mixed, it's another to have retards as parents. Think about how kids are, for a second. Most kids don't care about color, but I defy you to find who groups of junior high school students who don't think retarded people are funny.

This statement above goes great with what I was thinking to put in this post, thanks for making it easier for me RP.

Calling someone a "retard" is a childish thing to do, which shows yu are obviously not capable of thining as an "adult" would think when you "call names" like that.

It starts with the parents, if they aren't doing their job and teaching their kids right from wrong, YES, there will be problems like bashing & name calling.

Color, sexual orientation AND whether or not their parents are "challenged", ARE just the same to kids. They'll make fun of someone NO MATTER WHAT, IF they aren't taught any better.

Grow up yourself RP, although I doubt you will in your thinking. You are no better than the kids in this instance.

 

[Silverlily]

You're comparing apples and oranges. It's one thing to be mixed, it's another to have retards as parents.

In junior high, kids thought my parents were dorks for going to church more than once a week. You learn to adapt.

 

[Angel]

Sure, that was then. This is now. Kids laughed at retards 30 years ago, they'll be laughing in another 30 if we haven't fixed it with gene work.

Maybe if people would raise their kids with some kind of fucking respect for other people, none of this shit would be a problem.

 

[RastaPope]

In junior high, kids thought my parents were dorks for going to church more than once a week. You learn to adapt.

Adapting to church going parents is different than adapting to parents that can't help you with your homework if you're older than 7.