Sexuality and paraplegia: Myths and misconceptions among college students

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities are often seen exclusively in terms of their disabilities, resulting in the perception that they possess limitations in all areas of life. This has led to a myth of non-sexually for individuals with disabilities.This paper reports an exploratory study of the knowledge college students have of sexuality among individuals with spinal cord injuries. Over 120 students at a small southwestern university participated in an in-class exercise in which a male and female student volunteered, alternately, to sit in a wheelchair and portray an individual with a serious spinal cord injury. Students wrote two papers, anonymously, on what the issues would be if the disabled male, and then the disabled female, were establishing an intimate relationship with the able-bodied person standing next to him or her. The student responses were then analyzed for recurrent themes, stereotypes, and attitudes concerning sexuality. Results indicate that students consistently believe that sex would be a major problem, or that sex would be impossible, for a couple in which one partner had a physical disability. Other issues inextricably linked with being disabled were also prominent themes (stigma, pity, relationship and childbearing problems). Stereotypical gender roles and norms were also promoted, especially in the realm of sexuality. Responses evidenced an overwhelming concern for the male's sexual enjoyment.