If not the Disability, then what? Barriers to Reclaiming Sexuality Following Spinal Cord Injury

Sakellariou, Dikaios ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2668-2834 2006. If not the Disability, then what? Barriers to Reclaiming Sexuality Following Spinal Cord Injury. Sexuality and Disability 24 (2) , pp. 101-111. 10.1007/s11195-006-9008-6

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Abstract

Human sexuality has been medicalized and largely reduced to its physical components. This has led to a focus on the performative part of sexuality, and to a lack of interest in its social component. Men with spinal cord injury often report an unsatisfying sexual life, with limited chances to express their sexuality. This study shows that sociocultural barriers may be as disabling as physical impairment. The participants of this qualitative study felt that several barriers compromised their right to a satisfying sexual life, including certain social beliefs and attitudes (e.g. social disapproval and exclusive notion of sexuality), lack of employment, inappropriate personal assistance and inaccessibility among others. Impairment per se was not viewed as a barrier, since the new situation assumed status of normality. It is suggested that changes in education as well as the removal of physical barriers may positively influence societal attitudes and make sexuality more “accessible” to disabled people.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sexuality - Masculinity - Physical impairment - Spinal cord injuries - Social attitudes
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	0146-1044
Last Modified:	18 Oct 2022 13:14
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/13204

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