Oklahoma passes sexual sterilization legislation

April 22, 1931. The Legislature of Oklahoma passes its first sterilization law. The aim of the legislation was to allow for the legal sterilization of individuals living in state institutions judged to have undesirable traits. The legislation outlined when sterilization could occur and how they were to be managed.

In terms of process, this legislation stipulated that the superintendent of a state institution could recommend an individual for sterilization. The superintendent then needed to get the approval from a board of affairs. The board would hold a meeting where the candidate for sterilization could protest his or her recommendation. If, at this meeting, the board approved of the recommendation, the individual could appeal this decision to a district court and, subsequently, to the State Supreme Court. Additionally, an individual's consent was needed in order for sterilization operation to occur (Kaelber, 2011).

The legislation outlined that individuals considered to have cacogenic recurrent insanity, idiocy, imbecility, feeble-mindedness, or epilepsy were possible candidates for sterilization (Paul, p. 450). This legislation was expanded in scope in 1933 and in 1935 to include the compulsory sterilization of individuals who were incarnated with two prior convictions (Kaelber, 2011).

In terms of impact, 556 individuals were sterilized as a result of this, and subsequent, sterilization laws. This ranks Oklahoma 20th among states in the United States for total number of sterilizations (Kaelber, 2011).

-Luke Kersten

  • Kaelber, L. (2011). Eugenics: Compulsory Sterilization in 50 American States. Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/OK/OK.html.

  • Paul, J. (1965). “Three Generations of Imbeciles are Enough:” State Eugenic Sterilization Laws in American Thought and Practice. (Unpublished manuscript). Washington D.C.: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Oklahoma passes sexual sterilization legislation

April 22, 1931. The Legislature of Oklahoma passes its first sterilization law. The aim of the legislation was to allow for the legal sterilization of individuals living in state institutions judged to have undesirable traits. The legislation outlined when sterilization could occur and how they were to be managed.

In terms of process, this legislation stipulated that the superintendent of a state institution could recommend an individual for sterilization. The superintendent then needed to get the approval from a board of affairs. The board would hold a meeting where the candidate for sterilization could protest his or her recommendation. If, at this meeting, the board approved of the recommendation, the individual could appeal this decision to a district court and, subsequently, to the State Supreme Court. Additionally, an individual's consent was needed in order for sterilization operation to occur (Kaelber, 2011).

The legislation outlined that individuals considered to have cacogenic recurrent insanity, idiocy, imbecility, feeble-mindedness, or epilepsy were possible candidates for sterilization (Paul, p. 450). This legislation was expanded in scope in 1933 and in 1935 to include the compulsory sterilization of individuals who were incarnated with two prior convictions (Kaelber, 2011).

In terms of impact, 556 individuals were sterilized as a result of this, and subsequent, sterilization laws. This ranks Oklahoma 20th among states in the United States for total number of sterilizations (Kaelber, 2011).

-Luke Kersten

  • Kaelber, L. (2011). Eugenics: Compulsory Sterilization in 50 American States. Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/~lkaelber/eugenics/OK/OK.html.

  • Paul, J. (1965). “Three Generations of Imbeciles are Enough:” State Eugenic Sterilization Laws in American Thought and Practice. (Unpublished manuscript). Washington D.C.: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.