Can your future spouse bear children?

This is an important consideration to raise, but it will be very uncomfortable to do so.

The issue has various aspects:

• The person’s physical capabilities to be a parent
• The person’s attitude towards parenthood
• The person’s ability and desire to help you raise children together

How do you raise this question with a individual who is nearly a stranger?

You probably can't.

However, you can observe whether your partner and children are attracted to each other. Try to see whether this happens with children of all ages, or just specific ages.

There are other signs as well.

• Does the partner talk about children in an enthusiastic and positive manner?
• Does the partner show an interest in being a parent?

These signs may not be conclusive evidence of the partner's ability to be a parent, but they can certainly serve as indicators.

Both of you will both go for Tay Sachs testing, won't you? The partner's attitude toward that test may hint at a potential ability to be a parent.

The attitude towards those issues may also help you find out about your partner's mental health. Be alert for any warning signs.