Who Counts as a Sexual Subject? The Impact of Ableist Rhetoric for People with Intellectual Disability in Sweden

Author:

Bahner Julia,Gäddman Johansson Richard,Svanelöv EricORCID

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The ableist rhetoric around sexuality in disability services and beyond can hinder subjective sexual expression and have a powerful impact on health, self-esteem, and everyday life through internalized ableism, structural marginalization, and interpersonal discrimination. The aim of this study was to explore the ableist rhetoric of sexuality and its impact on sexual scripting for people with intellectual disability. Methods A thematic analysis was carried out on data generated through ethnographic fieldwork at five sheltered accommodations and semi-structured interviews with ten individuals with intellectual disability. Results The results show that people in Sweden with intellectual disability are desexualized within a moral order that is maintained in post-institutional social care. Through this moral order, which is deeply embedded in an ableist rhetoric about sexual relationships, sexual scripting for disabled people is constrained both inside post-institutional social care initiatives, and in the broader community of “ableist environments.” In response, disabled people employ various strategies of resistance. Conclusions A rhetoric of positive sexuality should be a guiding principle for successfully supporting the development of sexual agency on each individual’s own term. Policy Implications We conclude by encouraging the development of initiatives that will empower and support people with intellectual disability to learn about their sexual rights and to find solutions that allow for development of sexual agency and subjectivity.

Funder

Mälardalen University

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Subject

Sociology and Political Science,Health (social science),Gender Studies

Cited by 2 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. A Very Public Private Matter: A Case Study of the Post-Institutional Control of Disabled Sexuality;Sexuality Research and Social Policy;2024-07-12

2. Digital daglig verksamhet;Socialvetenskaplig tidskrift;2024-06-26

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