Significações da sexualidade para adolescentes com síndrome de down
International Journal of Development Research
Significações da sexualidade para adolescentes com síndrome de down
Received 04th February, 2020; Received in revised form 17th March, 2020; Accepted 10th April, 2020; Published online 30th May, 2020
Copyright © 2020, Manuelle de Araújo Holanda et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The sexuality of young people with Down syndrome is still seen with discrimination, prejudice, stigma and fear. This study aimed to identify the meanings attributed by adolescents with Down syndrome to their own sexuality. The sample consisted of 15 adolescents with Down syndrome in the age group 15-24. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews in five non-governmental organizations, in the city of Recife, Pernambuco. The results indicated that the participants were satisfied with their body image, without any kind of restriction or inhibition. For these participants dating is synonymous with a committed relationship, at the same time as the sexuality was seen as manifestations of intimacy, body touches and dialogue. In a general context, adolescents with Down syndrome expressed their sexuality in the same way as most adolescents without Down syndrome.
