Gender contradictions and status dilemmas in disability

Abstract

Both women and men have benefited from the successes of the disability rights movement, but the special needs of women with disabilities for jobs, sexual relationships, and a family life have not been so squarely faced. In this paper, I discuss gender differences in the roles and social status of people with disabilities. I argue that there are contradictions and status dilemmas in the beliefs about the characteristics of women and men with disabilities and that gender-related behavioral expectations create constraints for both. I also discuss the expectation that caregivers will be women and the effect of this expectation on the social roles of women and men with disabilities. Melding gender norms would be helpful, but just as people with disabilities have special needs if they are to live mainstream lives, women with disabilities also have special needs for services, especially around sexuality and procreation.

Citation

Lorber, J. (2000), "Gender contradictions and status dilemmas in disability", Altman, B.M. and Barnartt, S.N. (Ed.) Expanding the Scope of Social Science Research on Disability (Research in Social Science and Disability, Vol. 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 85-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3547(00)80006-8