Sexuality, Disability, issues in Education and Training People with disabilities have often been over looked with regard to their sexuality, or alternatively being considered asexual or ‘hyper-sexed’(Rembis, 2010). The social stigma around sex and disability has left this community unable to easily access education or services that help provide a healthy framework for them to develop and explore their sexuality (Schaafsma, Kok, & Curfs, 2010). This has also made it difficult for parents and support workers to address the sexual needs and concerns of their children and patients, while also overcoming their own lack of training and understanding in this area (Hannah & Stagg, 2016; C. Murphy, Lincoln, Meredith, Cross, & Rintell, 2016). The …show more content…
However it could be argued that mainstream sex education is often inadequate, and not easily accessible to people with disabilities (G. H. Murphy & Ocallaghan, 2004). Further more, the education may generally not be relevant to the specific persons disability. People with disabilities experience sex in different ways, leaving a large knowledge gap with how to educate this community in what is already considered a complicated area (Smith, Molton, McMullen, & Jensen, 2015). A person with an intellectual disability may not understand the variable social nuances, and the right way to express their sexual desires and attractions (Hannah & Stagg, 2016; Schaafsma et al., 2010). While a person with severe muscular dystrophy may not be able to navigate their body in the same way an able bodied person can (Smith et al., 2015). Consequently, this lack of comprehensive and relevant sex education often leaves them to figure it out alone, or not at …show more content…
Yet, despite many having attended some training in regard to sexuality and disability, they often refer on to outside ‘experts’ to assist with sex education, relationship counselling or helping their clients with information and/or skills to enjoy these tasks themselves (Chivers & Mathieson, 2000; Schaafsma et al., 2010). Research indicates that the majority of experienced trained staff are still ignoring the area of sexuality and only addressing the everyday living skills of people in their care. Further more, organisations operate from a discourse of people with disabilities being vulnerable and potential victims. Therefore being ‘protective’ ie. Needing careful supervision. Extensive training and re-examination of policies and procedures my help bridge the gap between sexual autonomy and protection (Chivers & Mathieson, 2000; Kramers-Olen,
Popular culture does not showcase the intimate lives of people with disabilities because society does not acknowledge that people with disabilities can participate in sexual activities. Nussbaum explores this common misconception in her novel, through the characters of Yessenia Lopez.and Joanne Madsen.Yessenia seems more comfortable with her sexauality than most teenagers with disabilities.She
In the article, “Freaks and Queer” by Eli Clare, the author discusses the meaning of certain words that are used to describe individuals with disabilities such as “queer”, “retard”, “cripple” and how they provide him with a sense of pride and strength. He also discusses the history of freakdom, and describes the horrid treatments of many disabled people who were not only objectified but also mistreated by the public in freak shows. Hence, Clare does not yet identifies nor associates himself with the word “freak”, due to its negative implications (Clare,
This essay response will focus on justifying why service user involvement / participation is important in the development of services for adults. To understand this, I will first look into the ideological principles that have shifted social work practice towards user participation before looking at the different ways these concepts have played out, with a particular focus on service users with disabilities. Service user ‘involvement’ and ‘participation’ in social work practice is underpinned by the fundamental values that services should be ‘user-centred’, ‘user led’ and ‘needs led’ (Warren, 2008). I have chosen to focus on adults with disabilities because there has been much recent development and policies put into place for this group of people. However, they are still considered one of the most vulnerable groups in society (Kemshall and Littlechild, 2000. The meaning of disability is a contested concep...
Society must realize the “collective obligation and responsibility to treat people with disabilities not as recipients of charity and goodwill, not as objects of compassion, but as the primary subjects of justice” (Kuick 292). Every individual deserves the opportunity to be sexually active, regardless of his or her physical or mental abilities.
As able – bodied women undergo surgeries to stay within the ideal woman that society wants, the disabled are lead to have a lower idea of their self – image; this makes them suffer physically along with mentally. Feminist has placed their focus on the reality of the Western culture. Odette states that; “… women’s bodies are objectified for the purpose of male pleasure and domination” (42). White, able – bodied, heterosexual men are the reasons why women are constantly fighting to stay beautiful with these surgeries which make disable women believe that is their cure. Disability is seen as a deficit, furthermore, they have to come to the realization that the ideal woman is not part of their experience or within their reach. Women who have physical disabilities are faced with judgment or pity from people they do not know, their families, co – workers, practically anyone who sees them or comes into contact with them. Unfortunately, they are perceived to lack the ability to participate in roles that are expected of a woman; and if they are to achieve this goal they have to do the
This essay will critically explore why social workers need to know about the life course. It will do so by examining the particular area of sexuality, and as a related issue, adolescent mental health, this being one of the chief risk factors in coming out. It therefore follows that because social workers deal with service users from birth to death, it is crucial to understand what life course one is on and the impact that passing from one transition to another can have on an individual (Thomson, 2008). This will enable social workers to understand what this stage means to a service user when interpreted in their own narrative and how to effectively help. In addition, social workers would respond differently when for example dealing with an adolescent as compared to a middle age adult.
Eli Clare’s “Freak and Queers” explores how certain bodies are deemed “other” or “abnormal” while others are considered to be “standard” or “normal,” highlighting the negative perceptions regarding disability, race, class, sexuality, and gender throughout the U.S. The concept of normality and abnormality is often socially constructed, which connects to the narrow definition upheld by society of “normal” that values able-bodiedness, whiteness, wealth, heterosexuality, and cisgender identities. This narrow definition perpetuates the marginalization and stigmatization of these groups of individuals whose bodies or identities do not fit within these “normal” categories. Clare argues that the negative perceptions are not universal or objective,
This essay will discuss the ways sexuality is gendered and their impacts towards both men and women by exploring the contemporary heterosexual scripts from a sociological perspective on three main aspects; i.e. sex drive, desire and power. It studies how men are deemed to have a higher sexual edge than women, who acts as the relationship gatekeepers. This essay analyses the theory that women predictably pursuits love and relationships while men are more sexually controlled by lusts and cravings. Sexual dominance and passiveness is another traditional script inspected in this essay, focusing on how men are always expected to be the prevailing initiator thus devouring more power in relationships while women stays being the weaker, submissive receivers.
Similarly, in Western cultures masculinity is associated to having an able-body, the physically disabled male is often referred to as feminine (Scott, 2014). In Scott's (2014) article he mentions a man named Kale whose colleague asks if the semi-attractive woman was his nurse, Kale called him an asshole and told his colleague it was his wife. This is related to Natalie’s experience of people asking if she is Tim's Mother, sister, friend, or nurse, she explains that no one has ever asked her if she was Tim's wife (Verstraten, 2014). Both scenario's reiterate how society culturally positions men with physical disabilities as “other”, and upsets the dominant understandings of gender performances (Scott, 2014). Additionally, this can be connected to the YouTube video “Shit Able-bodied People Say to People With Disabilities”, questioning and making assumptions regarding the relationship between Natalie and Tim is a complete violation of their privacy. The couple view themselves as role-models due to the lack of support, and not seeing many people similar to their situation. Together they are working to break down the myths and misconceptions that people with disabilities are not sexual beings (Verstraten,
The World Health Organisation, WHO, (1980) defines disability in the medical model as a physical or mental impairment that restricts participation in an activity that a ‘normal’ human being would partake, due to a lack of ability to perform the task . Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (n.d.) states that the medical model emphasizes that there is a problem regarding the abilities of the individual. They argue that the condition of the disabled persons is solely ‘medical’ and as a result the focus is to cure and provide treatment to disabled people (Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, 2014). In the medical model, issues of disability are dealt with according to defined government structures and policies and are seen as a separate issue from ordinary communal concerns (Emmet, 2005: 69). According to Enabling Teachers and Trainers to Improve the Accessibility of Adult Education (2008) people with disabilities largely disa...
Whether born from ignorance, fear, misunderstanding, or hate, society’s attitudes limit people from experiencing and appreciating the full potential a person with a disability can achieve. This treatment is unfair, unnecessary, and against the law (Purdie). Discrimination against people with disabilities is one of the greatest social injustices in the country today. Essential changes are needed in society’s basic outlook in order for people with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to succeed in life. To begin with, full inclusion in the education system for people with disabilities should be the first of many steps that are needed to correct the social injustices that people with disabilities currently face.
125). I know that this stereotypically imagery is a historical depiction brought about from the medical model of disability and unfortunately, I believe this imagery is still a fixed attitude. I came to this conclusion after reading Jenny Morris book ‘Pride against Prejudice’, in which she infers that this common public attitude of a negative asexual imagery of impaired people stems from being different (1991). Her book also reinforced my understanding of an impaired person’s viewpoint of society’s negative perspective of disability.
French, S. & Swain, J. 2008. Understanding Disability: A Guide for Health Professionals. Philadelphia: Churchilll Livingstone Elsevier: 4
There can be many reasons for the issues. It can be a disease such as diabetes, substance abuse, medication, or even a psychological issue that causes the sexual dysfunction. I have had and experience with a man who had erectile dysfunction. (Impotency) Not only was his caused from diabetes, but also the fear of not being able to perform contributed to the issue. Women experience sexual dysfunction as well. Menopause can contribute to sexual dysfunction in women. Many women have to use lubrications because their body does not produce adequate lubrication for intercourse. The book states that people with spinal cord injuries can have sex lives. I was actually surprised by this. I could not imagine desiring to be sexually active if I were in a wheelchair. I think I would feel useless if that were the case and would have little desire to do much of anything. However, I have never been faced with that so I am unsure as to how I would
People with disability who are lesbian or gay are searching for mainstream lesbian and gay organization which can give them support ant treat them without differences. But they are confronting access issues which lead to a lack of outreach services provision for lesbian, gay or bisexual, disabled people. This results in a lack of capacity building for these individuals, many are socially excluded and isolated from mainstream disability/ lesbian, gay or bisexual