Barriers and Concerns in Providing Sex Education among Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Experiences from Malay Mothers

Nawal Nabilah Kamaludin, Rosediani Muhamad, Zainab Mat Yudin and Rosnani Zakaria
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Nawal Nabilah Kamaludin: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
Rosediani Muhamad: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
Zainab Mat Yudin: School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
Rosnani Zakaria: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Though sex education (SE) may benefit the sexual development and overall well-being of children with intellectual disabilities (IDs), obstacles to its implementation remain. This study highlights barriers and concerns of SE for children with IDs based on their mothers’ experiences. We employed a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews with twenty Malay mothers of children with mild-to-moderate IDs or/and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Four primary hurdles to SE were discovered: (1) mother (2) children (3) family value, and (4) socio-cultural environment. Inadequate knowledge, mothers’ perceptions that SE is less necessary at this stage of their children’s development, and time constraints were among their main barriers. Another source of hardship was the communication barrier because children with ID have cognitive impairment in their capacity to understand the topic being addressed and more time should be spent throughout the discussion. Family value and socio-cultural elements also had an impact on mothers’ intention to deliver SE to their children. Our findings suggest that mothers recognize the importance of SE for their children’s well-being. However, the dynamic interaction between the barriers complicates SE. This study emphasizes the necessity for future interventions to overcome hurdles at each level to effectively implement the recommended strategies.

Keywords: sex education; intellectual disabilities; barriers; concern (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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