Sexuality in Disability Studies
Sexuality is an important aspect of human life that has been studied extensively in many different disciplines. It refers to a range of behaviors, beliefs, feelings, thoughts, and desires related to physical and emotional intimacy between individuals. In the field of disability studies, researchers have examined how sexuality is experienced and expressed by people with disabilities. Religious institutions, such as churches and synagogues, have also played a significant role in shaping societal attitudes towards disability and sexuality. The way these institutions understand and discuss disability and sexuality can influence public perceptions and policies regarding these issues.
Religion and Disability
Religion plays a major role in many aspects of human life, including conceptions of disability. Many religious traditions view disability as a result of divine intervention or punishment for sinful behavior.
In Christianity, the Bible describes instances where God strikes people with diseases as punishment for their transgressions. This narrative has been used to justify excluding people with disabilities from participation in religious communities and even deny them access to medical treatment.
Some religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, do not view disability as a sign of sin but rather see it as part of the natural order of things. These perspectives have influenced cultural attitudes towards disability and paved the way for inclusion of people with disabilities in religious communities.
Sexuality and Disability
Sexuality is an important aspect of human life that is often ignored or minimized in conversations about disability. People with disabilities may face unique challenges when it comes to expressing and experiencing sexual desire, intimacy, and pleasure due to physical, sensory, cognitive, and emotional barriers.
They are still capable of having healthy sexual relationships and desires like everyone else. Unfortunately, this fact is not always acknowledged by society, which tends to view disability as asexual or sexless. Some religious institutions perpetuate this view by teaching that people with disabilities cannot be sexual beings. Others suggest that individuals with certain types of disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy) should avoid sexual activity altogether.
Religious Discourse on Disability and Sexuality
The way religious institutions understand and discuss disability and sexuality can significantly impact public perceptions and policies regarding these issues.
Some churches teach that people with disabilities should abstain from all forms of sexual expression, including masturbation, partnered sexual acts, and even marriage. This position is based on the belief that sexuality is wrong or unclean and that people with disabilities are inherently impure. Other religions recognize that sexuality is a natural part of human life but emphasize that it must be expressed within marriage. Still, others recognize that people with disabilities have the right to express their sexuality within appropriate boundaries. These divergent views reflect differences in cultural attitudes towards disability and sexuality, as well as historical influences on religious thought.
How are sexualities of people with disabilities understood in religious discourse?
Disability is usually discussed in religious contexts as a physical, mental, or spiritual limitation that hinders an individual's ability to actively participate in social life. This understanding often reflects a binary view of human nature where being normal means having perfect health and no impairment, which can lead to stigmatization of individuals who do not fit this criteria.