Sexual Thoughts: A Sociological Investigation of Developmental Center Staff Attitudes Towards the Sexuality of People with Developmental Disabilities

摘要: People who live at developmental centers have sexual desires just like anyone else. Nevertheless, staff attitudes, and the institutional context, profoundly affect how sexuality is expressed. Staff act as gatekeepers to many social recreational activities; clients are therefore unavoidably affected by attitudes behaviors. This research offers an investigation of these attitudes. Sociological on cognitive disabilities very limited, study disability virtually nonexistent. Moreover, there been no substantial investigations sociological issues associated with people more severe disabilities. Social scientists investigated sexuality, focus exclusively individuals mild mental retardation. paper bridges that gap investigating 318 California Developmental Centers towards behavior The proportion significant higher than other types care facilities. Many also require medical supports services. provide training assistance activities daily living including feeding, personal hygiene, transportation, recreation, job training, psychosocial support, intervention. Due nature disabilities, a client’s life center involves high levels Privacy limited. provides overview system context; investigates historical aspect sexuality; discusses why this population presents unique challenge sociology; evaluates previous attitude research; results new attitudinal study. Policy implications discussed.