Attitudes Towards Affectivity and Sexuality of People with Intellectual Disability

Let’s talk about sex: How people with intellectual disability in Australia engage with online social media and intimate relationships

“…Further, they are able to explore their consensual, monogamous sexual relationships in a safe manner. This means that the societal beliefs and attitudes that people with intellectual disability are asexual, childlike and vulnerable (Brown, 1994;Di Giulio, 2003;Franco et al, 2012;McDonagh, 2007;Murphy, 2003Sweeney, 2007 do not resonate with the findings of this study. In order to support the human rights of people with intellectual disability to explore and freely express their sexuality, a change in societal beliefs, attitudes and practices is required to cease the perpetuation of this stereotype.…”

“…Secondly, a number of participants expressed and mirrored repressive societal beliefs and attitudes from their parents as they described the viewing of 'sexy material' in a negative manner. This finding highlights the continued stereotyping of people with intellectual disability as asexual, childlike and denying their human right to sexual self-expression (Brown, 1994;Di Giulio, 2003;Franco et al, 2012;McDonagh, 2007;Murphy, 2003Sweeney, 2007. This was evident when participants described how parents or care givers actively denied or repressed and acted as gatekeepers in their attempts to express their sexuality.…”

“…It is evident from previous research that people with a disability have difficulty accessing technology (Batey & Waine, 2015;Shakespeare, 2008) and are judged as being unable to express themselves sexually (Brown, 1994;Di Giulio, 2003;Franco et al, 2012;McDonagh, 2007;Murphy, 2003Sweeney, 2007. The findings of this study however, suggest that those male participants who engaged in internet based viewing of pornography, did so either individually or in mutually exclusive heterosexual relationships.…”

“…Major influences affecting the sexual development of people with intellectual disability stem from societal beliefs and myths that have resulted in stereotypical portrayals in media which have, in turn, influenced restrictions and control placed on their sexual development (Goggin, 2009). Common stereotypes of people with intellectual disability as asexual, eternally childlike, naïve or potentially sexually deviant and unable to control sexual urges (Brown, 1994;Di Giulio, 2003;Franco, Cardoso, & Neto, 2012;McDonagh, 2007;Murphy, 2003;Sweeney, 2007) are based on fears and myths which can be a barrier when engaging with other members of society (Swango-Wilson, 2010). In addition, various social control methods have historically been employed, ensuring people with intellectual disability were fearful of engaging in intimacy, which was often reinforced with punishment (Löfgren-Mårtenson, 2008).…”

Actitudes de padres, profesionales y población general hacia la sexualidad de las personas con discapacidad física e intelectual

“…Por su parte, la población general presenta actitudes sexuales más favorables cuando se trata de aspectos generales relacionados con el derecho a disfrutar de una vida sexualmente plena y la libertad para expresar afecto mediante besos, caricias o abrazos (Franco et al, 2012;Gilmore y Chambers, 2010), que cuando se trata de aspectos más específicos como la maternidad/paternidad o las relaciones sexuales, donde las actitudes tienden a ser más conservadoras (Hasson-Ohayon, Hertz, Vilchinsky y Kravetz, 2014; Olavarrieta et al, 2013).…”