One of the arguments made by those who are against cochlear implantation of the young is that it undermines cultural identity and a sense of community among deaf people. The argument suggests that, instead of trying to "fix" deafness, we should appreciate and accept it as a natural aspect of diversity in our society.
Tucker acknowledges this argument in his article, but he counters that deafness should not become the defining characteristic of a person's identity. He argues that, by providing access to spoken language and communication skills, cochlear implants can actually help deaf children participate more fully in their hearing communities while still maintaining their cultural identity.
In my opinion, while the objection regarding cultural identity is a valid concern, Tucker's response is also reasonable. Cochlear implants can provide deaf children with a broader range of options for communication and interaction, while still allowing them to be part of the wider deaf community. Ultimately, the decision to have a cochlear implant or not should be left to individual choice, based on what is best for each child and their family.