As far as this cathartic process is concerned, one could logically conclude from Freud’s reasoning that he would believe that if a woman is physically disabled she would not be able to exercise sexual energy on to a libidinal object, and that this energy would then be all stored up in the ego, causing narcissism . Narcissism has been leveled against people with disabilities, claiming that the disability monopolizes all their attention and prevents them from displaying altruistic behaviors.
The myth of asexuality, which Freud discusses in his pathology of sexual dysfunction remains a current thematic myth of disabled people, particularly women. Disabled people are commonly viewed as either asexual or oversexed. Both extremes are erroneous. They only serve to rationalize society’s non-acknowledgement of disabled people’s sexuality being well within their capacity and interest.
Slide 10 Sexuality as Normative Behavior Freud ascribed specific sexual normative behavior. He talks about repression, particularly the female tendency to repress sexual urges and drives in order to conform to gender roles of that period. Historically, people especially the disabled have internalized societal expectations of repressing sexual needs and desires.
Slide 11 Simi Linton’s Response Simi Linton, renowned disability scholar, in her book Claiming Disability, identifies and examines an undercurrent of belief that in order to be considered sexually deserving you must be viewed by society as a contributing, fully functioning citizen. If you do not fit these parameters, the pursuit of sexual opportunities is viewed as over indulgent or excessive luxury. Contemporary thinking continues on the premise that disabled people should be focused more on practical issues of life, which should trump interest in sexual expression. How does this theory relate to other minority groups as far as experiencing and exercising sexual rights and “privileges”?
Slide 12 Myths Ingrained in Collective Social Psyche Rhoda Olkin, a psychotherapist and a woman with a severe physical disability discusses some popular myths about sex and disabled people. In Olkin’s book, What Psychotherapists Should Know About Disability, she explores myths that are ingrained in the collective social psyche and are responsible for the continuance of ignorance and stereotypes about sex and disabled people.
Slide 13 Normative Paradigms Freud’s theories and most of his contemporaries were based on normative paradigms of human anatomy and physiology. Such theories are responsible for spawning myths that still exist in societies “understanding” of impairment.
The myths related to sex and disability can serve as a magnifying glass for understanding all sexuality. There is a universal necessity for respecting and affirming diversity in sexuality. We all need to have a more accurate and realistic picture of the sexual experience, and not believe the media’s representation sexual normality. We must incorporate personal frailty and strength into the wide spectrum of sexual expression. Do we ever see common imperfect bodies depicted in sexual scenarios in the popular media? Examples- overweight, elderly, disabled
Slide 15 Myths about Disability and Sex Intercourse is actually the primary function and desire of having sex. Persons who are able-bodied would not find disabled people physically or sexually attractive. Sexual gratification is mostly dependant upon physical normalcy. If both people have a severe impairment, this would cause an additional hardship in each others lives. Therefore, better to keep sex out of the realm of social possibility and opportunity. If you don’t talk about it, people won’t think about it.
Slide 16 Denial of Sexual Recognition “Parental (societal) failure to foster sexuality is a form of abuse…albeit an unwitting form, for sexuality is not a minor facet of human life.” -Rousso, 1982
Slide 17 Rules about Disabled Sexuality and Sex? “As with any minority group there is no such thing as a particular definition and set of rules for “disabled sexuality and sex.” Carol Marfisi, no date
Slide 18 Photo Photo of a man and a woman with man’s arm around the woman. Photo is waist up and both appear to be naked.
PowerPoint Presentation for Lesson 5: Freud and Disability Slide 1 Photograph of a Portrait of Sigmund Freud
Slide 2 Freud: Making the Connection Disability and Sexuality
Mosaic Humanities
Beverly L. Frantz, EdD
Institute on Disabilities, Temple University
Slide 3 Myth or Fact
People with disabilities and chronic illnesses are not sexual.
Freud was disabled.
People with disabilities are not sexually adventurous.
Freud had an activity sexual life with his wife, Martha.
Slide 4 What Influenced Freud?
Freud’s theory evolved between 1900-1910, was just about the same time that
the moralist-feminists of the Western World began to be recognized as a strong and powerful group.
His theories supported traditional middle-class morality – that heterosexual, genital union was the only form of adult sexual behavior.
Slide 5 Freud’s View of Women
Freud believed that women were more masochistic and narcissistic than men
Women were Rigid and unchangeable by age 30
He believed that women were unable to match the high moral character of
the male becauseﾉ.
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