Not Free to be Sexual? The Management of Sexuality and Disability

Abstract

Disability and sexuality are social constructions rarely discussed together in the Singaporean context. Activism focuses on “public” issues like education and employment, neglecting the “private” lives of persons with disabilities (PwDs), including the access and expression of their sexuality. This thesis investigates how institutions and organisations approach the issue of disabled sexuality, and the underlying assumptions of current institutional thinking and policy.A triangulation of research methods were used, including in-depth interviews conducted with staff from Social Service Offices (SSOs) and Special Education (SPED) schools, participation observation at related events, and analysing relevant publications, a documentary, and existing literature. This thesis then puts forth five models of management – the avoidance, censorship, conformity, sterilisation and meritocratic models – implemented by institutions of the state, organisations, family, society, and self, that manage, regulate, and restrict PwDs’ access to and expression of sexuality. The underlying assumptions of these interventions include incompatible social constructions of disability and sexuality and societal perceptions that are shaped by socialising agents like state campaigns, media portrayals, and education. It must be recognised that these constructions and assumptions can be questioned, debunked, and challenged for progressive change in both the attitudes and interventions that can empower PwDs to pursue and live ormative sexual lives.