'Just when you think you got it all sorted...': parental dilemmas in relation to the developing sexuality of young profoundly disabled people

Authors:
SWAIN John, THIRLAWAY Carole
Journal article citation:
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24(2), 1996, pp.58-64.
Publisher:
Wiley

Sexuality is a neglected topic in the literature focusing on young profoundly disabled people. For parents and formal carers who work with parents and young people themselves, however, sexual development and identity pose fraught and complex challenges in understanding and addressing young people's needs. This paper is based on qualitative research which explored parents' experiences, feelings and understandings and the responses of formal carers to parents' perspectives. The parents faced contradictory pressures to deny and not to deny sexuality. Formal carers drew on beliefs about 'good parenting' in reactions to the position of parents. Both groups confronted real dilemmas with young people who are incapable, and may never be capable, of informed consent of self-determination in sexual relationships.

Subject terms:
informed consent, learning disabilities, needs, parents, physical disabilities, severe disabilities, sex education, sexuality, young people, carers;
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1468-3156
ISSN print:
1354-4187

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