Choice, Relationships, and Sexuality: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Abstract

This chapter reviews the concept of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in relation to people with intellectual disability (ID). It explores the relevance and significance of the concept and reviews the Swedish National SRHR Strategy and its implications for choice, relationships, and sexuality for people with ID. Recent literature on this topic is reviewed and organized into the following themes: (a) sexual health and rights, including sexual expressions and conduct and sexual identity and orientation, and (b) reproductive health and rights, including pregnancy and parenting and sexual knowledge and information. The themes suggest several barriers for people with ID being fully engaged in choices to achieve SRHR. These barriers include the surroundings’ heteronormative attitudes and focus on protection, the lack of comprehensive sex education, and the invisibility of sexual agency among people with ID. However, exploring the target groups’ own voices and promoting self-sexual advocacy were identified as means to create opportunities for choice, which is necessary to fulfill the aim of SRHR concept.