Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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‘I don’t know what a proper woman means’: what women with intellectual disabilities think about sex, sexuality and themselves
- Authors:
- FITZGERALD Christina, WITHERS Paul
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(1), 2013, pp.5-12.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Semi-structured interview schedules were used to guide interviews with 10 women with intellectual disabilities to find out what they thought about their sexuality and sexual identity. All were identified as White British with ages ranging from 19 to 64 years. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts. Many of the women could not conceptualise themselves as sexual beings, and they tended to regard sex as a dirty and inappropriate activity for them. They generally believed that other people prohibited them from engaging in sexual activity. The women often considered themselves to be of little value, and the majority had no clear sense of identity. It is incumbent upon services to find the means to empower women with intellectual disabilities to acknowledge, welcome and take control of their own sexuality. (Edited publisher abstract)
Sterilization, intellectual disability, and some ethical and methodological challenges: it shouldn't be a secret
- Authors:
- STEFANSDOTTIR Guarun, HREINSDOTTIR Eyglo Ebba
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 7(3), 2013, pp.302-308.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
This article discusses the experience of an Icelandic woman with intellectual disabilities who was sterilized and how she has dealt with it. It also reflects on some ethical and methodological issues that arise during inclusive life history research. The article is based on cooperation between two women, Eygló Ebba Hreinsdóttir, who was labelled with intellectual disabilities when she moved to an institution in Iceland in the 1970s, and the researcher Guðrún V. Stefánsdóttir. The article is based on a recorded conversation between Ebba and Gudrun and the work of the Icelandic women's history group in which both participated for three years. Ebba was sterilized when she was 14 years old but didn't know about the sterilization until she was 27. The article describes the deep emotional impact and how she came to terms with it. (Edited publisher abstract)
Becoming a woman: a teaching pack on menstruation for people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- COOPER Emma
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 99p.
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
An illustrated teaching pack designed to be used with young women with learning disabilities which explains the physical and emotional processes involved in menstruation. It covers information about hygiene, pain management and sanitary protection. Guidance notes for trainers and worksheets are included. The pack will be useful for staff and carers working with girls and women with learning disabilities.
Same-sex relationships and women with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- BURNS Jan, DAVIES Danielle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(4), July 2011, pp.351-360.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The sexual knowledge of people with mild intellectual disabilities has been found to be partial, inaccurate and inconsistent. Previous research has shown that people with intellectual disabilities have tended to hold negative or even blatantly homophobic attitudes towards homosexuality. Holding traditional beliefs about gender roles is predictive with holding negative attitudes towards homosexuality. The aim of this study was to examine attitudes towards homosexuality and gender role beliefs in a group of women with intellectual disabilities. The sample consisted of 27 women with a learning disability who described themselves as heterosexual. Three self-report measures were administered to measure their knowledge of homosexuality, attitudes towards homosexuality and gender role beliefs. The findings showed that the participants had limited knowledge, especially regarding lesbianism, and held prejudicial beliefs. Traditional gender beliefs were also identified and were associated strongly with more negative attitudes towards homosexuality. These findings suggest that education that focuses on the flexibility of gender roles may be beneficial, in addition to an emphasis on developing more positive attitudes towards homosexuality.
A case note follow-up of women with intellectual disability referred for sterilization
- Author:
- ROY Meera
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 14(1), March 2010, pp.43-52.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
In the UK, sexual activity by people with intellectual disabilities caused concern for the Victorian society, who responded by encouraging segregation. Until 1975, women with such disabilities were being sterilized, either voluntarily or with parental consent. This was in accordance with the recommendations of the Brock committee in 1934. This paper describes a case note audit that was carried out to follow up women with intellectual disabilities referred for contraceptive sterilization 20 years ago. None of the women had been sexually active or become pregnant. Two had hysterectomies for medical indications at a younger age. The author suggests that women with intellectual disability should use reversible and less invasive methods of contraception before considering contraceptive sterilization. In conclusion, the paper indicates that although the assessments predated the Mental Capacity Act 2005, they were largely compliant with it.
Meanings and experiences of menstruation: perceptions of institutionalized women with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CHOU Yueh-Ching, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(6), November 2008, pp.575-584.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
No studies have ever been conducted concerning menstrual experiences among women with an intellectual disability in Taiwan. An in-depth interview was conducted at three public institutions and perceptions and experiences regarding menstruation were elicited from 55 women aged 21–65 years. The participants knew about menstrual blood and could recognize the experiences of period pain and its link to femininity. The women's management of menstruation played a big part in their institutionalized life, where they had relatively limited choice and autonomy. Positive feelings towards the menstrual cycle were experienced by some participants; however, many had negative attitudes towards sexual activities or parenting, even though they knew the association between menstruation and pregnancy. Although these women's experiences of perimenstrual symptoms are quite similar to those of women without intellectual disability, their menstrual management, interpretations and attitudes to menses are influenced by their institutional life and by the society at large.
Josephine: lets talk about sex...'n stuff!
- Author:
- MORGAN Claire
- Journal article citation:
- Community Connecting, 12, January 2008, p.11.
- Publisher:
- Community Connecting
Josephine, a project by Them Wifies in Newcastle upon Tyne, brings a creative, fun and accessible approach to learning disabled women's health, sexual and relationship education. The author discusses the project which operates in the North East of England.
Drawing a line between consented and abusive sexual experiences: the complexities for women with learning difficulties
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 5(3), September 2003, pp.34-40.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Explores the sexual feelings of women with learning difficulties, highlighting the blurred nature of the boundary between abusive and consented sex. The article is based on formal research that took place with 17 women with learning difficulties. It also draws on the author's work experience with a much larger group of 70-80 women in the context of sex education and counselling, on an individual and group basis.
Not such an 'ordinary' relationship: the role of women support staff in relation to men with learning disabilities who have difficult sexual behavior
- Authors:
- THOMPSON David, CLARE Isabel, BROWN Hilary
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 12(4), September 1997, pp.573-592.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Brings together preliminary data on the management of men with learning disabilities who have unacceptable/abusive sexual behaviour patterns with a small pilot study which specifically explores the roles of women support workers in relation to difficult sexual behaviour. The studies explore with staff the boundaries of what is considered acceptable sexual behaviour and how breaches of these are responded to within services.
Ordinary women: issues for women with learning disabilities
- Author:
- BROWN Hilary
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24(2), 1996, pp.47-51.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reviews some key issues for women with learning disabilities and those who work with them arguing that many of these are 'ordinary' women's issues which are exacerbated because they often remain unacknowledged. Services ignore gender more than sexuality leading to very atypical lifestyles for women with learning disabilities. Explores how women's needs around fitness and appearance, sexuality and sexual abuse, reproductive rights and experiences of motherhood and caring for others could be supported by services which were more willing to acknowledge that women with learning disabilities are 'women first'.