Which group of individuals was targeted by the Sexual Sterilization Act?

The Sexual Sterilization Act primarily targeted mentally disabled individuals and prostitutes due to prevailing eugenics ideologies at the time. The eugenics movement sought to improve the genetic quality of the human population, leading to policies that deemed certain groups as 'unfit' to reproduce. Individuals categorized as mentally disabled were often viewed as incapable of making informed reproductive choices, and therefore were subjected to sterilization without proper consent. Similarly, prostitutes were targeted under the assumption that they posed a threat to societal morals and that their reproductive capabilities needed to be controlled.

This approach reflected broader societal prejudices and misconceptions regarding mental health and sexuality, demonstrating how these individuals were marginalized and discriminated against. The act was part of a larger movement that often overlooked individual rights and personal autonomy in favor of misguided notions of social improvement. In this context, the choice highlighting mentally disabled individuals and prostitutes accurately captures the intent and impact of the Sexual Sterilization Act.