essay

The nonconsenting sterilization of Mexican women in Los Angeles: issues of psychocultural rupture and legal redress in paternalistic behavioral environments

twice a minority : mexican american women • St. Louis, Missouri • Published In 1980 • Pages: 235-248

By: Vélez-Ibáñez, Carlos G..

Abstract

The nonconsenting sterilization of Mexican women in a Los Angeles public medical center, and the resulting law suit against the hospital, is the primary focus of this study. Prior to the trial Vélez-I. was asked by the plintiff's lawyers to act as a consulting cultural antropologist for their clients assessing the possible cultural and social ramifications of the sterilization process on the lives of the ten women involved in the litigation. The data gathered by the author were later submitted at the trial but were largely ignored by the judge whose judicial decision came out in favor of the defendants (the medical center). Details of the author's preliminary findings, the trial itself, the legal personnel involved, and the text of the judge's decision are all described in this document.

HRAF PubDate

2002

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 2001

Field Date

Nov. 1, 1977-May 30, 1978

Coverage Date

1970s

Coverage Place

Los Angeles, California, United States

Notes

Carlos G. Vélez-I.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 248)

LCCN

80011177

LCSH

Mexican Americans