EUGENICS & DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY: A STUDY OF SOCIETAL PERFECTION AND ITS IMPLICATION ON FAMILY
Eugenics or Perfect breeding theory gained prevalence in the later part of the twentieth century. Human beings have always strived for the perfect set of genes to be passed on from one generation to another. Eugenics is the highest form elimination of so-called wrong gene by ceasing particular race, caste, creed, religion or colour to form a relationship. Many of the physical and mental deformities are viewed as genetical and hence eugenics, though inhuman, is considered a way to gain social perfection. The most prominent issue with eugenics is that this high standard leads to misunderstanding between the couples thus resulting in dysfunctional Family. Through this research paper the researcher explores autism in one of the children as a reason for dysfunctional family and how in the name of societal norms parents and children belonging to autistic spectrum are relegated from the mainstream of the society to the fringes, thus causing unnecessary pressure in the family relationship and leading to unhappy married life and dysfunctional family. The researcher takes up three novels to understand the impact of children with autism in the family. They are The Curious incident of Dog in the Night time by Mark Haddon, Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz and House Rules by Jodi Picoult. The focus of this research is to understand the impact of eugenics and the want for perfect gene in life leading to dysfunctional family when a child is born with autism.
Eugenics, Family Dynamics, Dysfunctional Family, Autism.