Chaeyun Kang
Cornerstone Collegiate Academy of Seoul
Abstract
This paper examines the historical conflict between government responsibility and individual rights during the eugenics movement in the United States. By focusing on cases like Buck v. Bell and other forced sterilization examples, it shows how the government misused eugenic ideas to justify discrimination against women, people of color, and those with disabilities. It also examines how eugenics influenced immigration laws and marriage restrictions, promoting the idea of eliminating so- called “bad genes.” The essay argues that the government’s overreach in pursuing societal improvement serves as a warning against sacrificing personal rights for supposed social benefits.
