Abstract
Aim : The article analyses sexuality and quality of life among people with mental and physical disabilities in the Italian context. It is aimed at contributing to a social debate over the sexual assistant for disabled people, as this professional is not still present in Italy. The aim of this paper is therefore to reflect on the consequences of the negative attitudes towards sexual life in disabled people, as well as for their families and community. In the collective unconscious, people with physical or mental disabilities are considered unable to live a healthy sexuality. This representation contributes to the spread of false attributions and prejudices. These characteristics may also be found inside the familiar context and its parental, educational style that appears so overprotective of the disabled child, in an attempt to relieve him of any social comparisons. Conclusion: The article was aimed at encouraging a social and political debate towards the
Highlights
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (A/RES/61/106(CRPD, 2006), adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, recognises the sexuality and sexual health services Right for all those individuals - for temporary or permanent, reversible or irreversible, or even progressive or regressive conditions – who cannot perform an activity in the way or within the range considered normal for a human being
The authors argue that, as in a virtuous cycle, increasing well-being and personal self-esteem results in “relapse”, as the perception of sexual aspects of the individual and couple life is the most satisfying and rewarding [40]. Another interesting reflection of Esmail et al [34] calls into question the multiple forms of disability that seem to have different effects on the sexual relationship: physical disability, seems to be better managed by the non-disabled partner, who is in great difficulty if a cognitive impairment is present, which often makes it difficult to experience intimacy and the meanings associated with it
The paper shows a different quality of services dedicated to disabled people
Summary
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (A/RES/61/106(CRPD, 2006), adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, recognises the sexuality and sexual health services Right (art. and 25) for all those individuals - for temporary or permanent, reversible or irreversible, or even progressive or regressive conditions – who cannot perform an activity in the way or within the range considered normal for a human being This is pointed out by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF, 2001), who pay particular consideration to the relationship with the different contexts that affect their life conditions. The promotion of their well being as well as their human rights cannot be dismissed and neglecting their psycho-sexual needs is considered as a failure [16]
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