Should a Downs Syndrome couple be supported or discouraged from having a baby ?

Question

Should a Downs Syndrome couple be supported or discouraged from having a baby ?

Answer 1

It totally depends on the couple.  There are a lot of "normal" people who go on to be the absolute worst and most inept parents on earth.  I guess it would all depend the degree of "disability" (I hate that word) that the Downs Syndrome couple has, as parenting a child is no joke, and it is extremely demanding.  It would also depend on the support factors. There should be plenty of family support--from both sides of the family--and there should be a plan B in action.

Answer 2

tricky- because the couple is down syndrome there is a high chance that the baby will be down syndrome to. i think no a they may not be able to cope. perhaps adopting a baby or child is best

Answer 3

If they wanted one, supported for sure. Its their choice and nobody elses

Answer 4

Call me Fascist.....but YES.......couples with problems themselves shoud be discouraged from bringing a child into the world that is going to need MAJOR support from Social Services. I work in the public sector and I know that there is not enough help to go around for existing clients in need of help.  

Answer 5

I have a friend with a daughter (29) who is Downs and whilst I am very fond of her I am realistic about her abilities. She is high functioning and has learnt sign language but she cannot appreciate potential danger or understand the consequence of certain actions. I am sure she would love to have children but I don't believe she is equipped to deal with the demands of parenting or has the ability to keep a baby safe. I therefore think she and others with Downs should be discouraged from having a baby.

Answer 6

This may be a situation type situation. If that make sense.

I know a guy with Downs. He owns a boat dock and makes more money than most of us. His children "not having downs" help run the business.

No one tried to discourage him I guess, and now he have some really nice children who do well in school and have a respect for other people.

Kinda ironic maybe. His children are better people than the children of some regular (If this an acceptable way to say it) people I know.

Answer 7

its not for us to decide...

Answer 8

Ever heard of eugenics?

Discouraged and if necessary forcibly prevented.

Answer 9

I've seen people with very mild down syndrome who can function just fine on their own. If they are able to live alone with their spouse and are fully functioning members of society, who are we to judge?

If a woman in a group home gets raped by a worker and the woman is an extreme danger to herself there will be no way she will keep the child. It becomes messy.

Answer 10

supported....i know a guy with downs syndrome.

i think they would be better parents than some of us.

Answer 11

The only people who should have children are the ones who can give mentally, physically and spiritually 100%. If you can do this ,regardless of any handicap,  then go for it.

Answer 12

Discouraged. They would need a lot of help to raise a child.

Answer 13

discouraged.  

Answer 14

please pick me by the way

and surportted

xxxxxxxx

Answer 15

If its only a mild form, and they're able to look after themselves, then why not?

After all, there are plenty of 'normal' people out there who should be discouraged from having children.  

Answer 16

Discouraged, it wouldn't be fair on the child.

Answer 17

hi i work with people who have downs syndrome ranging from very mild to quite bad. i suppose it depends how capable they are and how extensive their downs is we have one lady who would be more than capable of looking after a child. and would probably cope better than an alcoholic or drug addict. also i think it would depend on the amount of support they would get afterwards. but everyone has a different opinion

Answer 18

From what I understand, men with Downs are infertile most of the time.  Regardless of that..I think it depends on the severity.  There are people with Downs that are very capable of parenting well.

Answer 19

I think neither.

They should be taught everything possible.

They should know what  they may face.

Mild and bad- everything must be taught.

They should see children with down syndrome and talk to parents.

They should talk with doctors and psycho logs.

Then they should decide for themselves.

It may be that they are very religious and won't be able to live with such a burden if they get an abortion.

Or it may be that they will get divorced because of the problem if the baby gets born.

Or an older child may have another problem, so, another burden may be too much to lift.

They should decide themselves.

Answer 20

I think that when couple find out there baby has downs they should be supported. I know two couples who have had a downs baby and they are the most loving wonderful children. They are still your children no matter what and they deserve to have a chance at life just like the rest of us. What gives anyone the right to say Downs babies shouldn't be born. To think that they would be terminated for the simple fact that they have one extra gene and they might have learning difficulties is ridiculous. I know a 27 year old with Downs who works in our local supermarket and he is such a kind, friendly, happy guy. If I found out I was having a Downs baby I would love my baby no matter what.

Answer 21

without knowing their level of disability i think it would be unfair to answer... for instance if they are living in a group home because they are unable to care for themselves i would say no, but if they are able to live on their own, hold down jobs, pay their bills and generally function like most other adults i would support their decision

Answer 22

discouraged i think...they would need help themselves in raising such a child, and in some cases may find it completely impossible, then who looks after the poor child? the state will have to look after it..in the case of the UK it would be the tax payers who have to pay for these children, and the NHS keeps screaming they don't have enough money for this and that...so this is the problem, if they can't be looked after by their D/S parents, it is money that could go to other things that is needed in the medical world...don't get me wrong, of course once a child is born it has rights just as much as any other human being.