Going back to Hallowell’s accounts of non-carrier fathers, there was a strong representation of the idea that transmitting a mutation to one’s children is regarded as a personal matter. It may be unintentional, but it is constructed as blameworthy. However since carriers actually view themselves as unwitting participants, those who do transmit a mutation believe their lack of agency or intent should exonerate them from blame.
Just like guilt, blame is strongly linked to parenthood. Parents blame themselves for not being good enough, children blame their parents for a range of neuroses and society also tends to blame parents for their parenting decisions or for the children’s actions or well-being. So within the genetic framework, is the parent to blame?
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