Questions for Discussion

1. On what grounds does McElroy criticize Duchesneau and McCullough's efforts to have a deaf child? Do

you think her criticisms are valid? Why or why not?

2. Why does McElroy reject the view that deafness is a culture? How convincing is her argument against

that view?

3. Why is this case troubling for advocates of parental rights who resist government intrusion on parenting

decisions, according to McElroy? In what sense is this point important to McElroy's main argument about

this case?

4. In making a point about how difficult it is to be different in a society, McElroy refers to her mother's dis-

ability. Evaluate the effectiveness of this use of personal experience. Is McElroy's analogy between her

mother's disability and the birth of the deaf child she describes in this essay relevant to her point?

5. McElroy's essay can be described as an argument based on deductive reasoning (see page 81-83). On

what fundamental belief or principle does McElroy base her argument? Do you agree with her? Why or

why not?