Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
university of kashan
Abstract
Marriage, as a fundamental human right and an indicator of social integration, holds twofold importance for people with disabilities. However, on the path to marriage, they face numerous obstacles such as negative attitudes, cultural discrimination, legal inequalities, and a lack of social support. This qualitative research, based on the social model of disability, examines the lived experiences of people with disabilities concerning marriage. The findings indicate that for many of these individuals, marriage is not only a source of emotional support and reduced isolation but also a tool for increasing self-confidence, improving quality of life, and social participation. Nevertheless, the public perception of people with disabilities as "lacking emotional or sexual needs" remains a serious barrier to their social acceptance. The participants' narratives point to differences in pre-marriage expectations and post-marriage challenges, emphasizing the importance of education, mutual understanding, and family support. Furthermore, different preferences in spouse selection and the essential role of psychological, economic, and family factors in the decision to marry have been highlighted. This study, aiming to enhance social understanding of the needs, capabilities, and aspirations of people with disabilities regarding marriage, calls for a rethinking of social and cultural policies and emphasizes the necessity of respecting agency and human dignity in all aspects of life.
Keywords
- Marriage of people with disabilities
- challenges and opportunities
- rights and social equality
- lived experience
Main Subjects
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