Sexuality, Sexual Abuse, Marriage, Partner Violence, and Parenting Skills Among Persons With Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Sexuality begins from the moment of birth and has an active role in the development, evolution, emotional balance, and affective stability of the individual. It has a significant role in interpersonal and couple's relationships. The sexuality of people with intellectual disability is important from the view of medical, pedagogical, psychological, and ethical aspects. As intellectually disabled person approach puberty their control of behavior and expression of sexuality may manifest in unacceptable ways. They are also at increased risk for physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The chapter focused on the sexuality, the risk of sexual abuse, marriage, partner violence among people with intellectual disability. The requirement of sex education and components of sex education for various age ranges were also explained and effectiveness of such programs were also discussed. The chapter also discussed the parenting and challenges involved in parenting among intellectually disabled individuals.