The Deaf Movement

This essay aims to bring light to the very real issue of parents practicing modern day eugenics on their children. Genetically selecting for disabled children is the goal of the “Deaf of Deaf” movement. Although parent autonomy over their own child is a given, the utmost importance needs to be placed on the child’s right to an open future. Deaf people do not view their lack of hearing as a disability and flourish within their cohesive community. However, deliberately forcing this lifestyle on a child violates their right to make their own decisions about their life. This goes against fundamental liberal viewpoints and undermines a child’s future autonomy. Although the neutrality of the liberal state on allowing someone to pursue any lifestyle

The child can choose the life they want to live based on who they are, with the support of the state. This is yet again not ideal to the Amish community who aim to suppress individuality in the group (Davis, 558). However, in many other cases this is an ideal situation. Thus, I counter and say that the neutrality of the liberal state is undermined when dealing with groups that needs control over the child’s future for successful cultural integration, however in other cases, the neutrality is the best cast scenario in ensuring a child’s right to an open future. For example, a child coming from a non-educated family will have to abide by the liberal state and complete their high school education. This experience will be monumental in opening up a new world of opportunity for the child. Even though the state remains neutral about the lifestyle the child chooses, the now educated choice that will be made ensures a diverse future. The child’s right to an open future will remain in tact and keeping the child in school reaps only benefit for their life moving