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The Birds and the Bees: Views on Sexuality and Intellectual Disability
All parents struggle with discussing topics surrounding sex with their adolescent children, regardless of whether the child has a disability. It is terrifying to consider the risks your young adult is taking on by becoming more mature. Puberty and young adulthood is such a time of pride for parents. Conversely, it is full of such turmoil and worry; parents will always see their children as their babies and have concern for their safety. This already frightening and confusing time only becomes more complicated by the addition of intellectual disability. Some of the additional fears include concern regarding sexual abuse or assault, the ability to understand and provide consent, being aware of appropriate boundaries, sexual health, family planning, and many more.
Compulsory Sterilization of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Without Consent
In response to these intense concerns, compulsory sterilization of individuals with disabilities has a profoundly controversial history, beginning with its use in Nazi Germany. In many European countries, such procedures have been performed as late as the second half of the 20th century. It’s unlikely that these sterilizations abided by the European Convention on…
