The United States’ history with forced sterilization is a dark chapter that continues to impact contemporary legal and social frameworks. From its roots in the eugenics movement to its disproportionate effects on marginalized communities (especially women of color), sterilization practices have been justified in various ways over the years, all with the underlying goal of controlling who gets to reproduce and who does not.
In this article, I explore the history of forced sterilization in the United States through the lens of culture, focusing on the racial and economic factors that influenced its justifications, its practice, and the legal ramifications that continue to shape policies today. I argue that the institutionalization of forced sterilization through landmark legal cases, particularly Buck v. Bell, is deeply intertwined with the rise of the eugenics movement. This connection has shaped how the U.S. government and medical professionals have historically interacted with people deemed ”undesirable” by society. I emphasize that, despite the official end of eugenics-based policies, forced sterilization practices continued well into the 21st century, with reports of sterilizations in immigrant detention centers and among other vulnerable populations. I suggest that we continue to examine contemporary legal cases and renew conversations surrounding the legacy of Buck v. Bell through the lens of modern-day ethics of sterilization and the rights of incarcerated people.