Abstract
People with learning difficulties in the United Kingdom will generally have a similar life expectancy to people without learning difficulties (except for those with complicated impairments), but research indicates that the health needs, and especially the sexual needs, of people with learning difficulties have largely been unmet (Meehan, Moore and Barr, 1995; Mencap, 1991). Since the advent of Community Care policies in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, fewer people with learning difficulties live in institutions and it is estimated that about 60 per cent of people with learning difficulties live in the community now. However, Shakespeare, Gillespie-Sells and Davies state that ‘with the growing numbers of disabled people living independent lives in the community, more complex issues of relationships, sexual practice, domestic violence and parenting have been on the agenda.’ (1996: 188).
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
ADSS (Association of Directors of Social Services) (2005) Safeguarding Adults: A National Framework of Standards for Good Practice and Outcomes in Adult Protection Work. London: The Association of Directors of Social Services.
Aylott, J. (1999) ‘Is the Sexuality of People with a Learning Disability Being Denied?’, British Journal of Nursing (22 April) 8(7): 438–42.
Breg, W. R. (1973) ‘Physical and Biological Aspects’, in F. F. de la Cruz and G. D. LaVeck (eds), Human Sexuality and the Mentally Retarded. New York: Penguin.
Brown, Hilary (1994) ‘”An Ordinary Sexual Life?”: A Review of the Normalisation Principle as it Applies to the Sexual Options of People with Learning Disabilities’, Disability and Society 9(2): 123–44.
Brown, H. and Turk, V. (1992) ‘Defining Sexual Abuse as it Affects Adults with Learning Disabilities’, Mental Handicap 20(2): 44–55.
CHANGE (2009) Talking about Sex and Relationships: The Views of Young People with Learning Disabilities. Leeds: CHANGE, UK.
Collins, J. and Cozens, D. (1999) ‘Sexuality and Personal Relationships for People with Learning Disabilities’, Journal of Learning Difficulties for Nursing Health and Social Care 3(3): 130–5.
Craft, A. (1987) Mental Handicap and Sexuality: Issues and Perspectives. Tunbridge Wells: Costello.
Craft, A. and Craft, M. (eds) (1983) Sex Education and Counselling for Mentally Handicapped people. Tunbridge Wells: Costello.
Cross, M. (1998) Proud Child, Safer Child. London: Women’s Press.
Deisher, R. W. (1973), ‘Psychosocial Development in Sex Education’, in F. F. de la Cruz and G. D. LaVeck (eds), Human Sexuality and the Mentally Retarded. New York: Penguin.
Department of Health (2000) A Jigsaw of Services: Inspection of Services to Support Disabled Adults in their Parenting Role. London: Department of Health.
Diamond, M. (1984) ‘Sexuality and the Handicapped, in R. P. Marinelli and A. Dell’ Orto (eds), The Psychological and Social Impact of Physical Disability. New York: Springer.
Downs, C. and Craft, A. (1996) ‘Sexuality and Profound and Multiple Impairment’, Tizard Learning Disability Review 1(4): 17–22.
Edgerton, R. B. (1967) The Cloak of Competence: Stigma in the Lives of the Mentally Retarded. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Evans, D. (1993) Sexual Citizenship: The Material Construction of Sexualities. London: Routledge.
Fairbairn, G., Rowley, D. and Bowen, M. (1995) Sexuality, Learning Difficulties and Doing What’s Right. London: David Fulton.
Foucault, M. (1965) Madness and Civilisation. New York: Pantheon Books.
Foucault, M. (1977) Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. London: Penguin.
Gillespie-Sells, K., Hills, M. and Robbins, B. (1998) She Dances to Different Drums. London: King’s Fund.
Goodman, R. (1973) ‘Family Planning Programs for the Mentally Retarded in Institutions and Community’, in F. F. De la Cruz and G. D. LaVeck (eds), Human Sexuality and the Mentally Retarded, New York: Penguin.
Gunn, M. (1994) Sex and the Law. London: Family Planning Asssociation.
HMSO (1908) Report of the Royal Commission on the Care and Control of the Feeble Minded. Lord Radnor, Chairman. London: HMSO.
Howard, R. and Hendy, S. (2004) ‘The Sterilisation of Women with Learning Difficulties — Some Points for Consideration’, The British Journal of Developmental Disabilities (July) 50 part 2 (99): 133–41.
Howard-Barr, E. M., Rienzo, B. A., Pigg, R. M. Jr. and James, D. (2005) ‘Teacher Beliefs, Professional Preparation, and Practices Regarding Exceptional Students and Sexuality Education’, The Journal of School Health 75(3): 99–104.
Johnson, K., Frawley, P., Hillier, L. and Harrison, L. (2002) ‘Living Safer Sexual Lives: Research and Action’, Tizard Learning Disability Review 7(3): 4–9.
Keywood, K. (2003) ‘Supported to be Sexual: Developing Sexual Rights for People with Learning Disabilities’, Tizard Learning Disability Review 8: 30–6.
Khemka, I. and Hickson, L. (2000) ‘Decision Making by Adults with Mental Retardation in Simulated Situations of Abuse’, Mental Retardation 38: 15–26.
Lord Chancellor’s Department (1997) Who Decides? Making Decisions on Behalf of Mentally Incapacitated Adults. London. Lord Chancellor’s Department.
McCabe, M. P. (1999) ‘Sexual Knowledge, Experience and Feelings among People with Disability’, Sexuality and Disability 17(2): 157–70.
McCarthy, M. (1999) Sexuality and Women with Learning Disabilities. London: Jessica Kingsley.
McCarthy, M. (2000) ‘Consent, Abuse and Choices: Women with Learning Disabilities and Sexuality’, in R. Traustadottir and K. Johnson (eds), Women with Intellectual Disabilities: Finding a Place in the World. London: Jessica Kingsley.
McCarthy, M. and Thompson, D. (1992) Sex and the Three Rs, Rights, Responsibilities and Risks: A Sex Education Package for Working with People with Learning Difficulties. Brighton: Pavilion.
McCarthy, M. and Thompson, D. (1995) ‘No More Double Standards: Sexuality and People with Learning Difficulties’, in T. Philpot and L. Ward (eds), Values and Visions: Changing Ideas in Services for People with Learning Difficulties. Oxford: ButterworthHeinemann.
McCarthy, M. and Thompson, D. (1997) ‘A Prevalence Study of Sexual Abuse of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Referred for Sex Education’, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 10: 105–24.
Meehan, S., Moore, G. and Barr, O. (1995) ‘Specialist Services for People with Learning Disabilities. Nursing Times (29 March) 91(13): 32–5.
Mencap (1991) Empty Days Empty Lives. London: Mencap Publications.
Mencap, Respond, Voice UK (2001) Behind Closed Doors — Preventing Sexual Abuse against Adults with a Learning Disability. London: Mencap, Respond, Voice UK.
Millard, L. (1994) ‘Between Ourselves: Experiences of a Women’s Group on Sexuality and Sexual Abuse’, in A. Craft (ed.), Practice Issues in Sexuality and Learning Disabilities. London: Routledge, 159–76.
Mingione, E. (1997) ‘Enterprise and Exclusion’, DEMOS Collection 12: 10–12.
Morgenstern, M. (1973) ‘Community Attitudes Toward Sexuality of the Retarded’, in F. F. de la Cruz and G. D. LaVeck (eds), Human Sexuality and the Mentally Retarded. London: Penguin.
Morris, J. (2001) ‘That Kind of Life?’ Social Exclusion and Young Disabled People with High Levels of Support Needs. London: Scope.
Murray, J. L., and Minnes, P. M. (1994) ‘Staff Attitudes towards the Sexuality of Persons with Intellectual Disability’, Australia and New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities 19: 45–52.
Nirje, B. (1976) ‘The Normalization Principle’, in R. Krugel and A. Shearer (eds), Changing Patterns of Residential Services for the Mentally Retarded. Washington, DC: President’s Committee for the Mentally Retarded.
Northfield, J. (2004) Factsheet — What is a Learning Disability? Kidderminster: British Institute of Learning Disabilities.
O’Brien, J. (1987) ‘A Guide to Lifestyle Planning: Using the Activities Catalogue to Integrate Services and Natural Support Systems’, in B. W. Wilson and G. T. Bellamy (eds), The Activities Catalogue: An Alternative Curriculum for Youth and Adults with Severe Disabilities. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Oliver, M. (1990) The Politics of Disablement. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Oliver, M. and Barnes, C. (1998) Disabled People and Social Policy: From Exclusion to Inclusion. London: Longman.
Parritt, S. (2005) ‘Charities Shy Away from Joy of Sex’, Disability Now, June.
Ryan, J. and Thomas, F. (1987) The Politics of Mental Handicap. London: Free Association Books.
Plumber, K. (1995) Telling Sexual Stories: Power, Change and Social Worlds. London: Routledge.
Potts, M. and Fido, R. (1991) ‘A Fit Person to be Removed’: Personal Account s of Life in a Mental Deficiency Institution. Plymouth: Northcote House.
Shakespeare, T., Gillespie-Sells, Kand Davies, D. (1996) The Sexual Politics of Disability: Untold Desires. London: Cassell.
Simpson, D. (1994) Sexual Abuse and People with Learning Difficulties: Developing Access to Community Care Services. London: Family Planning Association.
Simpson, A., Lafferty, A., and McConkey, R. (2006) Out of the Shadows: A Report of the Sexual Health and Wellbeing of People with Learning Difficulties in Northern Ireland. London: Family Planning Association.
Sinson, J. C. (1995) Care in the Community for Young People with Learning Difficulties — the Client’s Voice. London: Jessica Kingsley.
Smigielski, P. A., and Steinmann, M. J. (1981) ‘Teaching Sex Education to Multiply Handicapped Adolescents’, The Journal of School Health 51: 238–41.
Szollos, A. A. and McCabe, M. P. (1995) ‘The Sexuality of People with Mild Intellectual Disability: Perceptions of Clients and Caregivers’, Australia & New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities 20: 205–22.
Webb, C. (1987) ‘Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes about Sexuality: Report of a Study’, Nurse Education Today 7(5): 209–14.
Welshman, J. and Walmsley, J. (2006) Community Care in Perspective: Care, Control and Citizenship. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Westcott, H. 1993. Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities. London. NSPCC.
Westcott, H. and Cross, M. (1996) This Far and No Further: Towards Ending the Abuse of Disabled Children. Birmingham. Venture Press.
Wolfensberger, W. (1972) The Principle of Normalization in Human Services. Toronto: NIMR.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2012 Ruth Garbutt
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Garbutt, R. (2012). Past, Present and Future: Exploring the Sexual Identities of People with Learning Difficulties. In: Hines, S., Taylor, Y. (eds) Sexualities: Past Reflections, Future Directions. Genders and Sexualities in the Social Sciences. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137002785_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137002785_16
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-33126-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-00278-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social Sciences CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)