Contemplating selective reproduction: The subjective appraisal of parenting a child with a disability

Abstract

The present study examines dominant perceptions regarding raising a disabled child compared to raising a non-disabled child, and how these perceptions may relate to motivations to use prenatal diagnostic testing (PDT). A survey examining the perceptions of raising a child with a serious disability and attitudes toward using PDT was completed by a diverse sample of women ( N = 165). The results indicate that the net appraisal of mothering a child with a disability is predominantly negative, especially with regards to time commitment, financial expense and emotional toll. Further, after controlling for the influence of personal demographics, contextual variables and familiarity with persons with disabilities, the absence of perceived rewards associated with parenting a child with a disability are more predictive of stated desire to use PDT than are the presence of perceived costs.