Abstract
Issues of sexuality and disability have traditionally been value-ladened areas. Using quantitative and qualitative methodology, attitudes toward sexual practices and relationships of individuals with disabilities were examined. Responses of teachers and administrators were differentiated on the variable of level of disability (moderate and severe disabilities). Results of the study indicated that teachers and administrators differentiated between individuals with moderate and severe disabilities on issues of sexual practices, types of relationships deemed appropriate, and the right to have children. The potential effects of trainer values on sexuality issues of individuals with disabilities are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
McClennen S: Sexuality and students with mental retardation. Teaching Exceptional Children 20: 59–61, 1988
McCabe MP: Sex education programs for people with mental retardation. Mental Retardation 31: 377–387, 1993
May DC, Kundert DK: Are special educators prepared to meet the sex education needs of their students? A progress report. The Journal of Special Education 29: 433–441. 1996
Eshilian L, Haney M, Falvey MA: Domestic skills. In Community-based Curriculum, MA Falvey (Ed). Baltimore. Paul H. Brooke. 1989. pp 115–140
Gunner A: Are we handicapped by our prejudices? Professional Nurse 3: 436–43. 1988
Kempton W: Sexuality training for professionals who work with mentally handicapped persons. In Sex Education and Counseling For Mentally Handicapped People, A Craft, M Craft (eds). Baltimore. University Park Press. 1983. pp 53–77
Romaneck G M, Kuehl R: Sex education for students with high-incidence special needs. Teaching Exceptional Children 2: 22–24. 1992
Shaver J P, Strong W: Facing Value Decisions: Rationale-building for Teachers (2nd Ed). Columbia University. Teachers College Press. 1982
Aveno A: Model to Promote Community Acceptance and Integration of Persons with Severe Handicaps (Grant No. G00-86-30348). University of Virginia, Curry School of Education. 1990
Brantlinger E: Teacher's perceptions of the sexuality of their secondary students with mild retardation. Education and Training in Mental Retardation 23: 24–27. 1988
Mulhern T: Survey of reported sexual behaviors and policies characterizing residential facilities for retarded citizens. American Journal of Mental Deficiency 79: 670–673. 1975
Brantlinger E: Professionals' attitudes toward the sterilization of people with disabilities. The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps 17: 4–18. 1992
Strauss A L, Corbin J: Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory, Procedures, and Techniques, Newbury, CA. Sage Publications. 1990
Gardner N E S: Sexuality. In The Right to Grow Up. An Introduction to Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Baltimore. Paul H. Brookes. 1986. pp 45–66
Griffiths D M, Quinsey V L, Hingsburger D: Changing Inappropriate Sexual Behavior. A Community-based Approach for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Baltimore. Paul H Brookes. 1989
Monat R K: Sexuality and the Mentally Retarded. San Diego. CA. College-Hill Press. 1992
Donaldson J: Changing attitudes toward handicapped persons: A review and analysis of research. Exceptional Children 46: 504–51. 1980
Lindsey P: The right to choose: Informed consent in the lives of adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities 31: 171–176. 1996
Hanley R: Four are convicted in sexual abuse of retarded New Jersey woman. The New York Times. March 1993. pp A1, B4
Abramson P R, Parker T, Weisberg S R: Sexual expression of mentally retarded people: Educational and legal implications. American Journal on Mental Retardation 3: 328–334. 1988
Adams G L, Tallon R J, Alcom D A: Attitudes toward the sexuality of mentally retarded and nonretarded persons. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded 17: 307–312. 1982
Alcorn D: Parental views on sexual development and education of the trainable mentally retarded. The Journal of Special Education 8: 126, 1974
Deisher R W: Sexual behavior of retarded in institutions. In Human Sexuality and the Mentally Retarded. F de la Cruz, G D LaVeck (eds). New York. Brunner/Mazel. 1973
Bass M D: Surgical contraception: A key to normalization and prevention. Mental Retardation 16: 339–404. 1978
Craft A, Craft M: Sex education and Counseling for Mentally Handicapped People. Baltimore. University Park Press. 1983. pp 22–26
Omenn G S: Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. Science 200: 952–958. 1978
Eve 2 S C R 388. 1986
Wheeless C: Abdominal hysterectomy for surgical sterilization in the mentally retarded: A review of parental opinion. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 122: 872–87. 1975
Miller DC: Handbook of Research Design and Social Measurement (5th ed). Newbury Park. CA. Sage Publications. 1991
Vallance E: Hiding the hidden curriculum: An interpretation of the language of justification in nineteenth-century educational reform. In The Hidden Curriculum and Moral Education. H Giroux, D Purpel (Eds). Berkeley. McCutchan. 1983. pp 9–27
Lockwood A L: Do public schools teach secular humanism? Why we may never know. Counseling and Values 34: 3–11. 1989
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wolfe, P.S. The Influence of Personal Values on Issues of Sexuality and Disability. Sexuality and Disability 15, 69–90 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024731917753
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024731917753