Buck v Bell (1927): Supreme Court Cases | Academy 4 Social Change

In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court upheld Virginia’s sterilization law. The Court decided that since sterilization only occurred after months of observation and an institutional board hearing, the practice was constitutional. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, a eugenics enthusiast, wrote for the Court. Holmes stated that society’s welfare would be promoted by sterilizing Carrie Buck since she could likely have another child with a mental impairment. Holmes went on to say that since the country asks men to potentially lose their lives in battle, other citizens should be willing to suffer “lesser sacrifices.” He brazenly stated that the country must prevent being “swamped with incompetence,” and that “three generations of imbeciles are enough.”

**Find a transcript, lesson plans, worksheets, and more at: https://academy4sc.org/video/buck-v-b...

**Think Further Questions
1. Can states require sterilization of its citizens? What if the citizens are proven to be mentally unstable or longtime criminals?
2. Why do you think this decision has never been overturned? Is it important that it is overturned?
3. What has changed since 1927 in our understanding of intellectual disabilities, mental disorders, and trauma?

**Contents
00:00 - Case
02:15 - Decision
03:07 - Dissent
03:17 - Impact

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