In order to investigate some of the myths surrounding disability, especially mental handicap, we need to examine some of the historical context of sexuality and disability. According to Clarke, Society's present reluctance to "accept the rights of the mentally handicapped to enjoy a full sexual life are partly historical, attitudinal and ethical." Historically the sexes were often segregated, and there were fears in the general population that if they were not, sexual expression would lead to procreation, the nation's intelligence would be diluted and degeneracy would be a consequence. There were also some myths about the insatiable sexual appetite of learning disabled people, and fears about what they might get up to if allowed free expression of their sexuality.
One argument in favor of suppressing sexuality continues to be that it requires a degree of maturity and responsibility to pursue an active sex life, and that people with a mental handicap simply do not have this. Society therefore has the right to limit the possibilities of irresponsible sexual behavior and its consequences. Whilst acknowledging that carers often have to take responsibility for the consequences of unsafe sexual activity between their clients, we need to be aware of a certain hypocrisy in this, as this restriction does not apply to the rest of the rest of the population, who are by no means always responsible for the consequences of their sexual activity!
In Sweden, when accommodation for people with mental handicap changed from being segregated to mixed sex, it was found that aggressive behavior lessened and that there was more sexual expression, but sexual acts happened less often than had been expected, and penetrative intercourse was often not attempted. This may lead to the conclusion that it is the ability to accept and reciprocate loving feelings and some sexual expression of this rather than the sex act per se which is important.
It is worth mentioning here in addition, that people with a learning disability who have been injured or abused in childhood may have become intellectually impaired because of the trauma and real physical injury done to them. Any childhood abuse unresolved is likely to have repercussions in adult life, particularly in intimate relationships, whether the person has a learning disability or not. If a client flinches when approached, lashes out when confronted or can only tolerate small amounts of physical touch, the impact on their sexual development will be marked. Myths can also be a set of assumptions we make about people, based on their diagnosis. Sinason who with others has pioneered psychotherapeutic work with learning disabled children and adults, cites several cases where clients made great intellectual strides during the therapy, with improvement in communication, memory and concentration, once they had worked through the source of their trauma. In the case of eight-year-old Ali, Sinason describes how at first he spoke only in two word sentences, had no concentration, and could not recognize his name or write it. Born prematurely to parents with a moderate learning difficulty, Ali became violent and disruptive. He had, however, been the subject of serious sexual assaults by an older boy, and then been circumcised for religious reasons. As therapy progressed he began to speak in full sentences and to show in graphic detail what had been done to him.
Virginia Axline, in the classic tale of Dibs, relates how he had first been thought of as learning impaired, when he crept under tables and refused to speak. But Dibs was extremely intelligent and this became apparent as therapy went on. Many myths are founded on false assumptions.
Media-Promoted Myths
It seems to me that the media actively promotes the idea that sex between all but the young, fit and beautiful is somehow repellent and rather shameful, instead of a normal activity. While we see displays of sexual exhibitionism from celebrities on a regular basis, and view images of near naked young non-disabled people frequently via advertisements and so on, we do not see the private sex lives of older, or disabled people portrayed, except as curiosities. It is in this way that myths are created: if you see it or hear about it, it exists, if you don't it doesn't (or shouldn't).
We are often resistant to the idea that older people, some very elderly, might engage in pleasurable sexual activities with one another. It seems prurient to inquire about the sexual lives of disabled people, and goes against the incest taboo to consider our parents' sex lives. It's private, faintly disgusting and not something we wish to consider. This, I believe, makes it difficult to deal objectively with the sexuality of some of our clients. We need to address this issue. There is a difference between giving permission for discussion of sexual matters by being matter of fact and open about it, and being intrusive or prying into peoples' private affairs. We will look at this further in the book.
