Social Context of Disabled Parenting

Abstract

The article discusses parenting of individuals with disability. It was based on the perspective of barriers, which (next to the perspective of risk and the functional perspective) marks the nature of discourse this theme takes in the literature on the subject and in practice. The perspective of barriers, related to the social model of disability, emphasizes the social factors important for the quality of parenting of individuals with disability. These factors were analyzed on the basis of available research results with mothers and fathers with disability, and able-bodied individuals who are part of their professional and non-professional environment. The article draws attention to the specificity of socialization of individuals with disability and its significance for preparations for family roles, social attitudes towards disabled individuals’ parenting, and their determinants. It also presents disabled parents’ experiences and the importance of realizing their role of a mother or father.

Disability Experiences and Perspectives Regarding Reproductive Decisions, Parenting, and the Utility of Genetic Services: a Qualitative Study

“…They also contested the assumption that their disability made them an unsuitable parent, emphasizing their strengths and strategies for overcoming physical differences. While consistent with literature exploring the parenting experiences of individuals with a disability, (Killoran 1994;Lewiecki-Wilson and Cellio 2011;Malacrida 2007;Thomas 1997;Parchomiuk 2014;Prilleltensky 2003;Prillentensky 2004;Saxton 1994), what is unique about this study is the participants' clear articulation of the impact of ableist attitudes. Keenly aware of the perspectives at work in shaping their suitability for parenthood, participants were adamant about their aspirations and right to parent.…”

Sexual Education of Adolescents with Moderate Intellectual Disability in Family: Experience of Mothers

“…J. Hubertas (2010) atkreipė dėmesį, kad kai kurios motinos, nuolat rūpindamosi intelekto sutrikimų turinčiais vaikais, pamiršta, kad reikia skirti laiko ir sau, ir artimiesiems, todėl neretai išyra šeimos ir prarandami draugai. Atrodo, kad Vakarų šalių visuomenės, pripažindamos motinų reikšmę vaikų priežiūrai ir ugdymui, sykiu tikisi, kad jos gebės derinti motinos pareigas ir profesinę savirealizaciją (Parchomiuk, 2014). Formalios ir neformalios pagalbos šeimai tinklas, paslaugų pasiūla ir pakankami resursai yra sėkmingos ir pozityvios tėvystės (motinystės) laidas.…”

Disabilities and sexual expression: A review of the literature

“…A significant portion of literature concerning disability and sexuality has examined attitudes towards disability and sexuality, particularly attitudes held by those who work with and care for people with disabilities (e.g., personal attendants, medical professionals, and parents of disabled children; see Addlakha, 2007;Cuskelly & Bryde, 2004;Deal, 2003;DeLoach, 1994;Desjardins, 2012;Esmail, Darry, Walter, & Knupp, 2010;Gilmore & Chambers, 2010;Hamilton, 2002;Kaufman et al, 2007;Kulick & Rydström, 2015;Lewiecki-Wilson, 2011;Pebdani, 2016). Inquiry into this topic has led to the identification of a range of stereotypes that label disabled people as infantilized asexual innocents in need of protection, as undesirable partners, as unfit or unable to have sex or children, and as deviant if they do engage in sexual relations (Abu-Habib, 1995;Brodwin & Frederic, 2010;Esmail et al, 2010;Malacrida, 2007;McRuer & Mollow, 2012;Olkin, 1999;Parchomiuk, 2014;Prillentsky, 2003;Shakespeare et al, 1996;Shuttleworth & Dune, 2009). This body of literature shows that disabled people are often faced with a "double bind" insofar as they are subject to a set of stereotypes that position them as either asexual and sterile or, conversely, promiscuous and predatory (see Finger, 1992;Kulick & Rydström, 2015;McRuer, 2003;Shildrick, 2009;Siebers, 2012;Smith-Rainey, 2011).…”