In pursuit of intimacy: disability stigma, womanhood and intimate partnerships in South Africa

Culture, Health & Sexuality
Ingrid van der HeijdenNaeemah Abrahams

Abstract

Notions of womanhood inculcate naturalised ideologies of femininity, sexuality, motherhood and caregiving. The paper asks how disability stigma intersects with womanhood to characterise intimate partnerships in South Africa. In-depth interviews with 30 women with a range of disabilities were conducted in informal settlements in Cape Town. Findings suggest that disability stigma may hamper attainment of normative womanhood and sexual relationships for women with disabilities in South Africa. Limited opportunities to meet potential partners, hegemonic gender expectations and restricted sexual and physical contact shape their intimate partnerships. However, women with disabilities also challenge ableist constructs of normalcy and discredit negative images of disabled womanhood. Because of this, theoretical models of intimate partner violence should consider the influence of disability on constructions of sexuality and norms in intimate partnerships. Building on women with disabilities' stigma-avoidance strategies will help facilitate better relationship outcomes. Social norms interventions with broader society, communities, women with disabilities and their partners, family and carers can help destabilise assumptions that women wi...Continue Reading

References

Apr 19, 2008·Sexual Abuse : a Journal of Research and Treatment·Marit Hoem Kvam, Stine Hellum Braathen
Dec 3, 2009·International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics : the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics·Kimberly BremerAcheinegeh Ruth
Feb 6, 2010·Disability and Rehabilitation·Shaniff EsmailHeidi Knupp
Oct 5, 2012·South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde·Sumaya Mall, Leslie Swartz
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Mar 13, 2014·Rehabilitation Psychology·Kathleen R Bogart
Jun 22, 2017·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Xanthe HuntPoul Rohleder

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