Reproductive policies like forced sterilization, which give us pause today, were perceived differently in other times and places. In the first half of the twentieth century in Sweden, for instance, they were considered progressive, as they were viewed as sparing people from a lifetime of institutionalization.

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This statement is true. In Sweden in the early twentieth century, forced sterilization was seen as a way to prevent the birth of disabled or mentally ill children, which was viewed as a progressive policy at the time. It was seen as preferable to institutionalizing people with disabilities or mental illness for their entire lives. However, today we recognize that forced sterilization is a violation of human rights and autonomy.

Reproductive Policies Like Forced Sterilization, Which Give Us Pause Today