As much as I want to scream at the government for this one, we need to actually look at the decision making capabilities of the woman. My wife worked as a social worker in NJ, and there were women with “learning disabilities” who had no capability of saying “no”.
I am going to research this, but I have a feeling the six children are from different fathers who took advantage of her learning disability.
“...different fathers who took advantage of her learning disability.”
THAT right there is criminal.
The health department’s argument was that having more children put her health and life at risk. Like you I will reserve judgment without more information. If this woman does not have the cognitive ability to understand the health risks that further pregnancies could bring, they may have a case. I would need to know what those “serious health risks” are.
Many women in America can’t say no. Look at our welfare rolls. This is not justification for involuntary sterilization. Sexual intercourse with a person who is a ward of the state or has a guardian due to diminished mental capacity would be rape and the offender (s) should be charged and prosecuted.
I am a former public health nurse myself, and different children from different fathers is the norm these days. Involuntary sterilization won’t change the culture that promotes fornication with whomever is around at the moment.