Worries of Parents Regarding the Future of Their Mentally Retarded Adolescent Children

Abstract

Responding to a questionnaire, a group of parents of mentally retarded adolescents, reported several worries regarding the future of their child. The welfare of the child in the event of the death of the parent seemed to preoccupy the majority of them. Several among them were embarked in an effort to secure financially the future of the child while others felt that could do very little about it. Two thirds expected assistance from community services while just over one third admitted of having received some assistance. It is held by the authors that the community has the duty to assist such parents.