Although it was a bona fide medical diagnosis in its day, "feeblemindedness" had virtually no clinical meaning and is no longer used in medical terminology. Many people who were classified as feebleminded would now be called mildly retarded, learning disabled, or simply underachievers. Contrary to the evidence presented at her trial, Carrie appears to have had no serious mental problem, and she was not promiscuous. Vivian's conception was the result of Carrie's rape by Clarence Garland, the nephew of her foster parents. Carrie, like many unwed mothers of that time, was institutionalized to prevent shame to the family. (DNAi location: Chronicle > Trial of Carrie Buck > Trial)

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