Running Head: HUMAN SEXUALITY
1
Sexuality in Intellectually disabled individuals
Name
University
Human Sexuality
2
Sexuality in Intellectually disabled individuals
Sexuality is an aspect of every human’s life and it is connected to our way of being,
think, feel, act and the way we relate with others and with ourselves; the way in which each
individual life sexuality will depend on his age, culture, family and historical time. These aspects
are not recognized to a person with intellectual disability and their erotic manifestations are
perceived as abnormalities and as sources of concern and alarm for parents (Siebelink et al.,
2006). In this regard, many parents repress the sexual experience of their kids by distracting
them away from facts or information that might stimulate their sex urge.
Research question
A simple way of developing this reflection is to focus attention on two aspects:
Is the intellectually disabled person can have a sex life?
Are the individuals with intellectual disabilities are sexually equal to all of us?
The World Health Organization (WHO), in 1998 defined sexuality as the combination of
social, somatic, intellectual and emotional aspects. In other words, sexuality is an aspect of the
life of all human beings and is related with our way of being, of thinking, of feeling, of acting
and to interact with other people and with us same as the way in which each individual live your
sexuality will depend on your age, culture, family and the historical era in which he lived.
Independent and dependent variables
In this qualitative research, the sexual desire of intellectually disabled (ID) people was
measured and it was observed that pleasure is paramount in men and women with ID. The
Human Sexuality
3
findings in this research are based on interviews and observations to answer our research
question. 5 individuals participated in the study and the results were drawn based on their
answers. The responses of the individuals are considered as dependent variables and the
questions asked are independent variables (Turner & Crane, 2016).
Participants
Participants in this research are people with ID and were recruited by the help of
professionals. This is the mixed sampling approach including 2 women and 3 men with mild
intellectual disability and age group between 21-54. All the participants are heterosexual.
Research method
The qualitative research method was applied. The semi-structured interviews were
conducted. Each participant was interviewed thrice.
Results
In this sense and considering that the principle of equal rights means that the needs of
each person have the same importance and that they must be the basis of all societies, resources
must be used to guarantee everyone the same participation. The violation of sexual and
reproductive rights of individuals with disabilities is a problem that must be recognized and
attacked from all social spaces, so that the physical environment, services, activities, and
information are put at your service, including those within this group are especially vulnerable
individuals and those who because of their intellectual or mental problems cannot represent
themselves.
Therefore, it is essential to adopt measures to eliminate obstacles that oppose their full
participation in education, cultural activities, health, employment, social security, accessibility,
Human Sexuality
4
and above all, access to information must be guaranteed. and the exercise of their sexual and
reproductive rights in complete equality with the non-disabled, always considering their specific
needs. Our responsibility is to fight to lay this first stone of a more inclusive society, beginning
to recognize and respect the rights of women and men with disabilities as sexed beings, to
eradicate the stereotypes that point them as unhappy beings in themselves, dependent and with
little or no chance of fully developing in a society designed by and for those who fall into the
category of "normal".
Reason to choose this article
The reason to select this article is the need to understand the basic human rights of every
individual regardless of their abilities. The ID people need our special attention to adjust in the
society and it is their right to enjoy all their feelings and emotions gifted to them by God.
Human Sexuality
5
References
Turner, G. W., Crane, B. (2016). Pleasure is paramount: Adults with intellectual disabilities
discuss sensuality and intimacy. Sexualities. 19(5-6): 677–697.
World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization (WHO / PAHO).
(1998). Monitoring Manual and Evaluation of Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs
for Adolescents and Youth. N°3. Caracas (Venezuela): WHO / PAHO Publications.
Siebelink, E.M., De Jong, M.D.T., Taal, E., Roelvink, L. (2006). Sexuality and people with
intellectual disabilities: Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, experience, and needs.
Mental Retardation. 44: 283–294.