International Journal of Social Science Studies Vol. 1, No. 1; April 2013 ISSN 2324-8033 E-ISSN 2324-8041 Published by Redfame Publishing 1 Understanding Experiences of Sexuality with Cerebral Palsy through Sexual Script Theory Tinashe M Dune 1,2 1 Collaborative Research Network for Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of New England, Armidale, Australia 2 Australian ICF Disability and Rehabilitation Research Program, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia Correspondence: Tinashe M Dune, Collaborative Research Network for Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of New England, Armidale, Australia. Tel: 61-2-6773-3848. E-mail: tdune@une.edu.au Received: October 9, 2012 Accepted: October 23, 2012 Available online: November 9, 2012 doi:10.11114/ijsss.v1i1.6 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v1i1.6 Abstract This study explored how people with cerebral palsy (CP) negotiated and perceived their sexual interactions with others. In doing so, this research discusses participant conceptualizations of sexuality with CP. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with two women and five men with moderate to severe cerebral palsy from Canada and Australia. The interview discourse focused on how, if at all, interactional constructions of sexuality influenced the way in which participants expressed and negotiated their sexuality. Interview data were thematically analyzed using NVivo and manual line-by-line analysis. Negotiated sexuality with partners, and communication styles influenced understandings of sexuality with CP. Partner validation was important to participant understanding sexuality as was the style and quality of communication about sexuality between sexual partners. Sexuality was meaningful with a sense of closeness, experiences of affection and reciprocity. Personal sexual agency enabled negotiation of preferred sexuality as did perceived levels of socio-sexual compatibility. The findings confirm that sexuality is socially negotiated. For people with CP personal agency yields more satisfying socio-sexual outcomes. In this regard, the ability to make (and exercise) choice when negotiating interactional sexual experiences reinforces conceptualizations of oneself as a sexual being and sexual equal. Keywords: cerebral palsy, sexual script theory, sexuality, disability, Australia, Canada, sexual agency 1. Introduction As per Simon and Gagnon (1986, 1987, 2003) interactional constructions of sexuality are influenced and reinforced by public attitudes and interpretations. As such, people may be encouraged to engage in sexual activity only with those who are publically prescribed as appropriate (Simon & Gagnon, 1986). The public construction of who is an appropriate sexual partner often excludes individuals with disabilities and their experiences of sexuality (Guildin, 2000). If people with disabilities are publically (i.e., mass media) excluded from portrayals of sexuality they may not being considered as viable sexual partners and thus experience reduced sexual opportunities (Overstreet, 2008). Research indicates that exclusionary constructions of sexuality and disability have a negative impact on how people with cerebral palsy experience their sexuality (see Wazakili, Mpofu & Devlieger, 2009; Xenakis & Goldberg, 2010; Rurangirwaa, Van Naarden Braun, Schendel & Yeargin-Allsopp, 2006). For instance, Lawlor et al.’s (2006) qualitative research on families of children with cerebral palsy indicated that “reported barriers to participation were the attitudes of individuals and the ingrained attitudes of institutions…The attitudes of strangers towards the child and family which altered the choice of activity for some families” (p. 225). As such, sexual participation and negotiation is mediated by public and interactional sexual scripts which may discourage sexual behaviour with people with a disability. People with disabilities and typical others may internalize sexual scripts which do not account for variance in the human condition. Without a framework which allows people with impairment to express their thoughts, feelings and desires their socio-sexual experience(s) may not be acknowledged (Blakar & Nafstad, 2006; Gould, 2009; Faulkman et al., 2005; McCormack et al., 2010). Due to pervasiveness of interactional (sexual) scripts which exclude people with cerebral palsy (or other disabilities) understanding the salience of these scripts is of interest. This research builds on understandings of interactional sexual scripts by allowing people with cerebral palsy to