Motherhood and Disability : Children and Choices

This book explores the intersection between motherhood and physical disability. It is based on a study that focused on the lived experiences of women with physical disabilities, mothers and non-mothers. What meaning does motherhood have for these women? What is it like for them? What messages do they receive about themselves as women, with or without children? What barriers do they foresee and/or come across? These issues are explored from the vantage point of disabled women with and without children. "It is rare that women with disabilities are thought of or portrayed as mothers. This book addresses that gap, exploring the lives experience of women with disabilities and their thoughts, opinions and experiences of the idea and realities of motherhood. The women whose voices fill this study, including the author, describe the meaning motherhood holds for them, the messages they receive about themselves as women, with or without children, their sexual identities, the barriers they foresee or come across and their ideas for the future in relation to motherhood." "Specific to the intersection of motherhood and physical disability, this book will provide valuable insight for students and researchers of disability and health, gender, family and intimacy."--Jacket. It is rare that women with disabilities are thought of or portrayed as mothers. This book addresses that gap, exploring the lived experience of women with disabilities and their thoughts, opinions and experiences of the idea and realities of motherhood. The women whose voices fill this study, including that of the author, describe the meaning motherhood holds for them, the messages they receive about themselves as women, with or without children, their sexual identities, the barriers they foresee or come across and their ideas for the future in relation to motherhood. Specific to the intersection of motherhood and physical disability, this book will provide valuable insight for students and researchers of disability and health, gender, family and intimacy

Working from intensive interviews and her own experience, Prilleltensky (counseling and development, Vanderbilt U.) examines how girls, childless women, and mothers with disabilities are denied acknowledgment of their sexuality and capability by the continuing misperceptions of society. She finds that women with disabilities must cope with ignorant or biased health care professionals, a lack of role models, and the continuing influence of eugenics. She discusses how women with disabilities "ramp up" to motherhood, how much control they have over their choices, and the crucial rold of family and professional support. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-5 Disability: A Sociopolitical Construct....Pages 6-26 Sexuality, Disability and Women’s Lived Experience....Pages 27-51 Reproductive Choice and Motherhood in the Context of Physical Disability....Pages 52-80 The Research Process....Pages 81-105 Growing Up as a Girl with a Disability....Pages 106-129 To Have or Not to Have: Motherhood, Disability, and Choice....Pages 130-151 A Ramp to Mothering....Pages 152-180 Promoting Our Children’s Wellness....Pages 181-199 Conclusion: Striving for Wellness....Pages 200-228 Back Matter....Pages 229-248