Conditionally Sexual: Men and Teenage Boys with Moderate to Profound Intellectual Disability

• Published in: Sexuality and disability Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 275 - 289
• Main Authors: Wilson, Nathan J., Parmenter, Trevor R., Stancliffe, Roger J., Shuttleworth, Russell P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.09.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aging; Antisocial Behavior; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Community and Environmental Psychology; Cultural Awareness; Cultural Influences; Disability; Group Homes; Intellectual Disability; Males; Masculinity; Mens health; Mental Disorders; Mild Intellectual Disability; Original Paper; Personal Autonomy; Psychology; Qualitative research; Rehabilitation Medicine; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality; Urology; Australia; Masculinity; Intellectual disability; Sexuality; Men; Boys; Research; Australia
• ISSN: 0146-1044; 1573-6717
• DOI: 10.1007/s11195-011-9203-y

This article presents qualitative research data about the sexuality of men and teenage boys with moderate to profound intellectual disability. Research findings pointed to a conditional construct of sexuality based within a biopsychosocial framework. The notion Conditionally Sexual represents the perceived limitations, within a rights-based discourse, of these men and teenage boys’ sexuality. The limitations to person-centred service delivery from a policy vacuum in the area of sexuality and intellectual disability represents a major challenge for paid staff. We suggest that a move toward better understanding how to support such a conditional sexual construct will assist the development of a healthy masculine sexuality for men and boys with intellectual disability.