A masculine perspective of gendered topics in the research literature on males and females with intellectual disability

Authors:
WILSON Nathan J., et al
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 35(1), March 2010, pp.1-8.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

This article explores the idea that a focus on male social pathologies may have evolved within parts of the intellectual disability research literature. It makes some connections between mainstream gender theory about hegemonic masculinity and the current gendered discourse in intellectual disability research. This review conducted a thematic analysis of all journal article titles from four prominent intellectual disability journals where man, woman, men, women, male, female, girl, and boy were in the title. Thematic differences were identified between articles that focused on males or females, with less research attention on male health compared with female health. A strong focus was evident on problematised male sexual behaviour. The authors suggests that there is a difference apparent between articles that problematise males and articles for females encouraging health promotion that suggests a disparate focus on male social pathologies. In conclusion, a deeper contextual analysis of unique sex differences in research is suggested.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, sex discrimination, gender, health;
Content type:
research review
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1469-9532
ISSN print:
1366-8250

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