Date of Award
5-2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
Sociology
Department
Sociology
Major Professor
Mann, Susan A.
Second Advisor
Luft, Rachel E.
Third Advisor
Compton, D'Lane R.
Abstract
This thesis is an exploratory study of the everyday lives of four women with various physical disabilities and how these women came to view themselves as sexual beings. Using an intersectional analysis and in-depth interviews, it examines these women's perceptions of expectations of normalcy in regard to life style, body image, and sexual practices, especially the expectations of their able-bodied family members and friends. It also explores how these disabled women deal with the stigmas they encounter in their everyday lives. Special attention is focused on how disabled people are often viewed as asexual or without sexual desires. By contrast, this thesis highlights the sexual agency of the disabled and includes policy implications that entail new ways of defining sexual practices, as well as the need for sex education for the disabled.
Recommended Citation
Volion, Ashley Maria, "Everyday Lived-Experiences and the Domain of the Sexual As Explored By Four Physically Disabled Women" (2010). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1183.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1183
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.