Eugenics Biased Sterilization Cases in the United States
Eugenics biased sterilization in the United States refers to the practice of forcibly or coercively sterilizing individuals—primarily women—based on their perceived race, ethnicity, or social status in ways that affirm eugenics principles based on [...], class hierarchy and ableism. Throughout the 20th century, state-sanctioned sterilization policies disproportionately targeted women of color, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations, under the guise of eugenics and public health. These practices, often justified by discriminatory beliefs about reproductive fitness, have been recognized as violations of human rights and bodily autonomy. The legacy of these policies continues to impact marginalized communities and shapes ongoing discussions about reproductive justice and state accountability.
Origins and Ideology
Early 20th-century eugenics movements in the United States promoted the idea of improving society by preventing those deemed "unfit" from reproducing.
Lack of Informed Consent
A core feature of coercive sterilization is the absence of informed consent. Procedures are often carried out without the individual's knowledge, understanding, or voluntary agreement. In some cases, consent is obtained under false pretenses, through misinformation or intimidation, or while the individual is under duress or even anesthesia, rendering the consent neither informed nor voluntary. California implemented one of the most extensive sterilization programs in the country, sterilizing over 20,000 individuals, with women of color disproportionately affected. The program was justified through eugenic ideologies that labeled certain populations as "unfit" to reproduce. The Human Betterment Foundation’s 1937 pamphlet promoted eugenic sterilization in California as a protective measure endorsed by medical and social professionals, reporting that over 11,000 individuals deemed "unfit" to reproduce had been sterilized by that year.
Madrigal v. Quilligan (1978) This landmark federal lawsuit was brought by ten Mexican-American women who were sterilized without proper consent at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. The case exposed systemic abuses in obtaining informed consent and highlighted the intersection of race, language barriers, and reproductive rights. Despite the plaintiffs not receiving damages, Madrigal v. Quilligan led to significant reforms in California’s sterilization policies-such as strengthened informed consent procedures and mandatory waiting periods. This is part of a larger campaign aimed at the sterilization of Latinas. Latinx resource guide provides a comprehensive overview of significant civil rights cases and events affecting Latinx communities in the United States during the 20th and 21st centuries. Ana Maria Garcia’s documentary La Operación (1982) investigates these practices and their social consequences.
Sterilization of Black Women in the South. Throughout the 20th century, Black women in Southern states were frequently subjected to involuntary sterilization, often under threat of losing welfare benefits or as a condition of medical care. This practice became known as the "Mississippi Appendectomy," a term coined by civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer to describe the routine sterilization of Black women without their knowledge or consent.
Sterilization of Native American Women Native American women were targeted for sterilization, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, through Indian Health Service facilities and state hospitals. Many were sterilized without adequate information or consent, reflecting broader patterns of systemic discrimination.
Sterilization of Women and Girls with Disabilities Women and girls with disabilities, particularly those from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds, have been subjected to coerced sterilization based on assumptions about their capacity for parenthood. Reports highlight ongoing human rights concerns and the need for stronger legal protections. The 2011 Human Rights Watch report documents the widespread forced and coerced sterilization of women and girls with disabilities, describing it as a violation of reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and international human rights standards.
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