Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52566
Title: An exploration of the perceptions of mothers and their daughters with intellectual disability on forming relationships, marriage and parenting
Authors: Farrugia, Daphne
Keywords: Parent and adult child -- Malta
Parents of children with disabilities -- Malta
Mother and child -- Malta
Mothers and daughters -- Malta
Mothers -- Malta -- Attitudes
Women with mental disabilities -- Malta -- Attitudes
People with mental disabilities -- Marriage -- Malta
Parents with disabilities -- Malta
Mothers -- Malta
Parenting -- Malta
Issue Date: 2019
Citation: Farrugia, D. (2019). An exploration of the perceptions of mothers and their daughters with intellectual disability on forming relationships, marriage and parenting (Master's dissertation).
Abstract: Literature documents the varied perceptions of professionals and significant others regarding sexuality and intellectual disability but tends to lack the voices of persons with intellectual disabilities themselves. This research has explored the perceptions and experiences of women with intellectual disability regarding their sexuality and intimate relationships. Their views on marriage and parenting were also consulted. In addition, it has delved into the concerns and struggles that the mothers hold at the concept of their daughters' sexuality and parenting possibilities. An inductive qualitative research design was adopted as the methodology for this study. The data was generated from three women with intellectual disability and their respective mothers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, data was analysed through thematic analysis and discussed within the conceptual frameworks of intersectionality and the social model of disability. The findings determined that the women with intellectual disability aspire to the same life choices as any other woman yet experienced different forms of ableism against their sexuality, wifehood and motherhood. It examined the power and resistance in the women's lives applied through the social and maternal barriers. These challenges are pervasive in the lives of women with intellectual disability and attitudes of overprotection are far from being a thing of the past. Despite their desire for intimate relationships, marriage, living with a partner and mothering, they are faced with negative social prejudices through stereotypes attributed to their gender, such as the perception of being vulnerable and in need of protection. Messages about their lack of ability to experience dating, marriage and motherhood were also expressed by their mothers. Several recommendations were made, including the need for educational and support programmes for both women with intellectual disability and mothers. Consequently awareness campaigns should focus on the positive affirmative model of disability and promote women with intellectual disability as complete sexual beings. In conclusion, this research sets a social obligation within the Maltese context that women with intellectual disability are to be empowered by removing the de-sexualisation and sexual suppression they experience and by giving them the opportunity to make informed choices about their sexuality, relationships and reproductive rights.
Description: M.A.DISABILITY STUD.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52566
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacSoW - 2019
Dissertations - FacSoWDSU - 2019

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