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Dating Behaviors of Women with Physical Disabilities

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Abstract

According to societal stereotypes, women with physical disabilities are asexual and therefore do not date. Another stereotype, and a fear of many women with disabilities, is that no one will want to date them because they have a disability. Consequently, little is known about their dating behaviors. Qualitative research methods were used to code and analyze 31 in-depth interviews of women with a variety of disabling conditions. Themes emerging from their stories indicated that the timing of onset of disability, and the response to disability of family, friends, and society in general, were critical in establishing patterns of dating behavior for women with physical disabilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, USA

    Carol A. Howland & Diana H. Rintala

  2. Baylor Center for Research on Women with Disabilities, 3440 Richmond Ave., Suite B, Houston, TX, 77046

    Carol A. Howland

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  1. Carol A. Howland
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  2. Diana H. Rintala
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Howland, C.A., Rintala, D.H. Dating Behaviors of Women with Physical Disabilities. Sexuality and Disability 19, 41–70 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010768804747

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